I was out of my typical Urban Decay Primer Potion, low on cash, and needed an alternative — fast, even if it would only be temporary.  I hurried to my local Ulta in hopes to find something, anything that would possibly suffice.   As I rummaged through the mass cosmetics, I saw something new; NYX Eyeshadow Base.  I figured, what the heck and grabbed it in white (it comes in white, pearl, and skin tone).  Keeping my fingers crossed, I headed home to see how well it would work in comparison.

Holy cow!  I was surprised.  This stuff was so easy to work with (easier than when I first started using the UDPP, which can be confusing for beginners), and it didn’t take much.  Plus, the vibrancy of the color as I applied it completely made my day.  What a nice, affordable alternative.

Price: $6 USD
Availability: Ultas, drugstores, and of course online at nyxcosmetics.com and cherryculture.com
Rating:
Product Details (taken from nyxcosmetics.com):
To get the maximum brilliant color of eyeshadow on your eye, an eye primer is a must!  Apply eyeshadow base to eyelids, then apply NYX’s high pigmented eyeshadows and see the colors pop with vibrant and sparkling luster.  Eyeshadow base grabs and firmly holds finely milled powder so the color in the pot is what ends up on your eye — not a pinch lost.

Product Pros:

• CHEAP!  This stuff is only $6 MSRP.
• Comes in a pearl base, a skin tone base, and a white base.  Handy!
• Can be applied easily with fingers or a brush.
• Packaging makes it easy to access all the product (unlike UDPP).
• Makes eyeshadow last!
• The vibrancy and color payoff is better than with many eyeshadow bases, including UDPP and TFSI.

Product Cons:

• NYX can be hard to find for some people who don’t live near an Ulta or a drugstore that carries it.
• Packaging.  While it’s great to access the product, can be a little bit unsanitary since it’s a pot if you’re using it on clients.
• I have had it crease…. Only twice, and I’ve been using it for well over a month now — so not too shabby, but still a concern.

Would I recommend this product?  Yes.  Do I plan on purchasing it again?  You bet!  In fact, I plan on selling it in my online make-up store (whenever I get that up and running) to bring everyone cost effective beauty.  NYX has always been good about bringing us affordable products that are great in quality, this is no exception.

Readers, have you tried this product?  What did you think?

I’ve been noticing a lot of complaints regarding the new formula of the Olay Complete Moisturizer SPF 15 for Sensitive Skin.  I have not used the new formula (one of those bottles lasts me forever of the old formula), so I wrote to Olay hearing that they were re-releasing the old formula due to so many complaints.  I thought I’d share what was written back to me, in hopes it will be helpful to fellow users.

Thanks for contacting Olay, Molly.

I’m sorry you’re having trouble finding Olay Complete Moisturizer with SPF 15 for Sensitive Skin. This is the original formula and we’re currently shipping it to retailers. This product is in a white box with yellow swoosh. It has a green line across bottom indicates “Sensitive” and a green “bubble ” in the top left corner that says “Classic Gentle Formula”.  We hope you’ll watch for it over the next couple of weeks.  We suggest you check with your local grocer, drugstore, or other large chain retail stores.  They’re often the first to have a new product on the shelf because they buy directly from us.

Hope this is helpful.

Alicia
Olay Team

I hope this helps you guys, so you know what to look for next time you go shopping!

Give me a moment while I try to think of something negative about this product…. Yeah, I don’t think that is going to happen.  Redken Wool Shake 08 is a newer product from their urban style collection.  It’s described as a “gel-slush” that adds texture and volume to the hair, as well as decently firm hold (like a messy or piece-y look?  this is perfect).

Price: $22
Availability: Most salons carry Redken products, unless they’re sold out good luck not being able to find this product.
Rating:
Product Details: [Taken from Redken.com] Innovative gel-slush adds extreme volume, texture and a high-fashion, semi-matte topcoat.

To use this product, shake vigorously and apply to dry hair.  Manipulate the hair using fingers to twist and separate strands to create your desired look.  For short hair, or to work on a small area, it can be useful to spray the product directly onto your fingertips to apply only where needed.  Make sure to begin applying smaller amounts.  You can always spray more to build the product in your hair, but you don’t want to put in too much of any product, it will be noticeable and unflattering!

What do I really like about this product? As a girl with short hair, it’s hard to find a good product to use that won’t make my hair feel greasy and look unnaturally separated by the next morning.  With Redken Wool Shake, I find that I can have the most control and that it’s matte finish provides me with the look I’m going for.  It never leaves me looking unkempt the next morning, and I actually have to shampoo my hair less (if you know me, you know I do NOT like shampooing my hair!).  This product is like having a styling pomade or clay with a hairspray.  It’s an all-in-one type of product, which to me really warrants the retail price.  If I weren’t licensed, I’d still pay full price for it because it works that well.

I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a more versatile product.  I’ve had excellent luck using this on short, medium, and long hair styles.  It creates the perfect amount of definition, and can create numerous styles due to its matte finish and texture.  Don’t worry, unless you spray in a ridiculous amount, it’s not going to make your hair hard as a rock like most hair sprays.

All in all, who would I recommend this product to?  Absolutely everyone.  It would be perfect in a roller set for those of you looking for gorgeous beach waves, just spray this directly at the base of each roller for unbeatable volume.  It’s perfect for short styles because it adds so much texture.  This really is an unbeatable product, I’m not sure I’ll ever switch to another styling product for daily use!  Plus, the bottle isn’t massive and can fit in my purse.

Readers, have you tried Redken Wool Shake?  What did you think of it?  Has your stylist tried to persuade you into purchasing this product, did you buy it and why or why not?  Sound off in the comments!

Price: $12
Availability: www.sugarpill.net
Rating:
Product Details: Sugarpill Cosmetics is a custom line of vibrant, richly pigmented, velvety pressed eyeshadows and sparkling loose powders.

Amy of Sugarpill Cosmetics (AKA Shrinkle) was kind enough to send me some of her products for review.  I know, I know it’s been awhile of me getting around to it.  I just graduated school, plus I wanted to make sure I got a decent use out of the products prior to posting the review.  I don’t like using something once, and telling you how I feel about it!

When I received my package I was thrilled, not only are the boxes printed with the Sugarpill logo, but inside the products are wrapped in a hot pink tissue paper.  The boxes themselves are absolutely adorable, and obviously took a long time to create.

In this adorable box were four eyeshadows and six loose eyeshadows, all of which richly pigmented and beautiful colors.  I couldn’t wait to try them!

First, I’ll begin with my review of the loose eyeshadows. I’m personally not much of a loose eyeshadow person.  They can be messy to travel with, and often have a lot of fall-out on the cheeks.  While Amy’s were no different in that aspect (there will always be some fall-out from a loose shadow and we all need to get over it if we’re going to use them), the colors were so rich and full of gorgeous glitter I couldn’t be upset.

I loved how versatile these were.  Not only could you apply them so that the coverage was sheer, you could layer it on or apply it wet for a vibrant color that will last all day!  Here are some photos of the pigments.  I swatched them on my arm with a q-tip, so they’re about half as intense as when they’re applied over a base with a brush.  How is THAT for coverage? My personal favorite is Hysteric. It’s a beautiful violet with green shimmer and sparkles added into the mix. Very innovative on Amy’s part! Goldilux is also wonderful and I love to throw a little of it at the inside corners of the eyes to really make them pop (a perfect modern edition to basic pin-up looks).

My only complaint regarding these is the same as for any loose eyeshadow — they may be too messy for new users, and of course there’s the issue of if it spills.  Otherwise, these are fantastic and easily worth every penny (you get such a vast amount of product for the price, I’m not sure I’ll ever go through a full bottle).

Next, are the eyeshadows.  Oh the eyeshadows.  I don’t have enough nice things to say about them.  Blending?  Piece of cake.  While these have a subtle shimmer, they’re mostly matte and blend much easier than brands with similar colors — for example, Make Up For Ever.  Personally, I’ve always had a problem blending many matte eyeshadows. The consistency is a little off which leaves to be undesired, and spotty finishes. Not for Sugarpill Cosmetics, it’s obvious as a consumer Amy took these issues into consideration when creating her brand. It’s easy for the average user.

Color?  Richly pigmented, opaque, and not too shimmery.  These go on true to how they appear in their pans!  Even without a base these go on exceptionally evenly, and are long-wearing to boot.  Quite frankly, they can be a little bit difficult to get off the eye!  How often do you get to have that happen to you?! If I weren’t so apt to wash my face on a daily basis, I’d love to sleep in these just to wake up with fresh looking eyeshadow in the morning. They really don’t budge!

Amy’s line of eyeshadows may not be fully extensive (you won’t see any browns or taupes here), the bright colors which can be so hard to find are perfect for your collection.  I only took off one lippie for the sake of the lack of colors, and that this might be a turn-off for some buyers.  Other than that, I think that you must own at least one of these for yourself!

Any other information you find pertinent that you would like included in this review?  Leave me a message in the comments for feedback so I can offer you extensive information!

I think it’s about time I started reviewing hair care products; from shampoos and conditioners to styling product!

Is there any product you’ve been wondering about in particular?  Looking for a product to do something specific and special?

Ask away!  I want to grab some stuff to review, and review the items in my arsenal — but I want my readers to tell me what they want to know about!

Leave suggestions and requests in the comments!