Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock, $10

Ahh April, what's not to love? Longer days, springy dresses, the warm mid-day sun . . . I finally don't need a sweater on the drive home from work, so I've taken my Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock SPF 30 out of winter storage. Yes, skin protection is a year-round job, but skin needs extra help as our hemisphere tilts toward the sun and we're not bundled head-to-toe. I use it daily on my arms, shoulders, and collarbone to avoid getting a farmer's tan in my daily car ride, and to protect myself from skin damage, freckles, moles, melanoma, etc. Of course, my moisturizer has SPF in it, but I'll use the Neutrogena stuff if I know I'm going to be out in the sun for more than a minute.

What I like most about this sunblock is its nongreasy feel. After you rub it in, your skin really is dry to the touch, almost powdery. I love the way it feels! Although, as a friend pointed out and I agree, it does leave an odd feeling on your hands. But, nothing a quick wash (or drop of sanitizer) won't alleviate. Plus, it has a great scent. It smells a bit like sunscreen, of course, but no one's gonna ask if you're about to go to the pool. It's light and leaves a fragrance kind of like baby powder.

I commuted to college and drove a lot in the afternoon sun. Two years into college I noticed more freckles on the left side of my face and arms. Moral of the story: Sun damage happens faster and easier than you may think. You don't have to be an avid outdoorsman to be at risk. Not to sound preachy but protect yourself! Especially if you're a pale girl like me. :)

Final verdict
Cost: $10--totally reasonable.
Feel: Feels nongreasy and dry--no shine left behind. Although, you might cringe at the way it feels on your palms, but you can totally wash it off.
Protection: SPF 30 has worked for me for basic, daily protection. It also comes in higher SPFs (55, 85, 100, etc.).
Other benefits: Waterproof, sweatproof, non-pore clogging.
Repeat offender: I've been really happy with it and would recommend it to my friends.

A Little Bit BADgal Lash Mascara by Benefit, $9

I got this miniature size BADgal Lash Mascara by Benefit through one of my many Sephora.com purchases. It turns out that Sephora not only sells the full size bottle for $19 (.3 oz) but they also sell this mini bottle for $9 (.14 oz), I was thinking it was just a sample size but it is available to purchase.


This mascara comes is rich black, blue, or deep plum. I’m not really into colored mascaras so I’ll stick with the black. The color is true to its name and definitely black. It coats the lashes thickly and lengthens as you apply it from the base of the lashes to the ends. The BADgal lash by Benefit is different from other mascaras because of the fat brush.


The fat brush is good for “fluffing” up your lashes all at once and fanning them out. However, I personally did not like the fat brush that much because I think it is too big. I got this in my eye once and it definitely was not pretty, and neither were the words coming out of my mouth. It is nice that the brush is soft and fat but I found that after using it for a bit the mascara started to clump a lot on the brush. Maybe because it is a thicker brush the makeup dried up on it easier. I can say that the mascara did stay on all day and even though it isn’t waterproof it did not run or anything. One trick I found with using the fat brush was to bring the brush up under your top lashes almost to the base and then slowly blink your lashes over the brush. This tip really helps get the longer lash effect since the full brush hold the mascara in place and your lashes “run” over it.

(Here is the BADgal Lash brush on top compared to an average size brush)
Final verdict:
Cost: $9 for a small, $19 for a full size. If you are going to get the mascara I say shell out the $19 and buy the full size, especially if you are going to wear it daily.
Rating: I give this mascara a 3 out of 5. It isn’t a bad mascara but it isn’t one that I would get again.
Look?: It gives you a full and soft lash.
Repeat offender?: Like I said before, it is a good product, but not for me. I prefer a mascara with a smaller brush that can coat lashes in smaller sections.
-M

PS--Get 15% off Sephora.com purchases tonight from 6-9 PM by entering the code VIBMADNESS--I am definitely placing an order!

Burt's Bees Orange Essence Facial Cleanser, $8

Burt's Bees Orange Essence Facial Cleanser is an all-natural cleanser made with natural oils, including orange oil and olive oil, intended to cleanse your face without stripping it of moisture. I received it from a coworker who wasn't entirely thrilled with it. She described her experience this way: "You know how ancient civilizations would use oil to cleanse? It kind of felt like that." She explained that it didn't lather and didn't leave her feeling clean. Even though I have the same type of combination skin as she does (dry in some places, oily in others), I decided to try it.


The orange oil means it smells amazing, like fresh oranges. As I was washing with it, I understood what my coworker meant--it definitely does not lather at all, which I'm okay with. I know a lot of all-natural products don't lather very much because they haven't added the unnatural ingredients that lather just for show; regarding face wash, this isn't a problem for me.

When I rinsed my face, I had to use a warm washcloth to really get the cleanser off. Otherwise, it just felt like it was still there. After drying, I noticed that it did clean off my makeup and did not strip my face of oils. It felt soft and moisturized. The problem is that I already have oily skin. I actually enjoy that "stripped," tight feeling--it makes me feel clean. I replace my face's moisture with moisturizer (with SPF) so I can keep it under control. While it did not leave my skin feeling oily, I felt anxious that my oil would come back later in full-force. The ingredients did say to follow with a toner.

Final verdict
Cost: $9 is a reasonable price for a facial cleanser, especially an all-natural one.
Experience: It smells amazing, doesn't lather, and doesn't leave that tight feeling that some people hate (not me, though, I love it).
Skin type: This would work best for sensitive and dry skin.
Repeat offender: I wouldn't buy this again--I don't think it's made for my kind of skin. I like Burt's Bees though, so I might try their other facial cleansers.

-T

PS--UrbanDecay.com is having a 30% off sale! Use promo code 1SFNF at checkout. Good until April 19!

Kat Von D for Sephora True Romance Eyeshadow Palette, Metal Orchestra, $34

Tattoo artist/reality star Kat Von D is definitely rock and roll. The girl is always decked out in some crucial heels, shredded shirts that show off her collection of body art, but most importantly she is forever wearing some really rock and roll makeup. I have been dying to try this Kat Von D palette that she has helped design and create with Sephora for a long time now. As part of my birthday gift my bff/coblogger Tori got me this awesome palette called Metal Orchestra.


The palette comes wrapped in a silvery coal tissue paper and a sticker with Kat’s initials. The outside art is all designed by Kat herself with her signature lightening bolts, religious symbols, and of course skulls. The smooth treasure box is full of eight different shadows in blue and silver tones and two double-sided brushes. The shadows from left to right are named: First Class, Techno, Thrasher, Dagger, Lucifer, Glock, Razor Gray, and Slayer. With names like that it is kind of hard not to be badass.


The different array of colors all compliment one another and can easily all be mixed, blended, or paired. I think that is what makes this palette different from others I have, it is definitely easier to combine the different shadows. The last color in the palette Slayer is actually a really awesome cream shadow that goes on smoothly and leaves a really awesome silver sparkle that reminds me of the wet looking silver sparkle leggings that Kat likes to wear sometimes (yeah I was a little obsessed with her for a while lol).


So far I’ve experimented with the blues which have stayed vibrant all day and did not crease or smudge. I also wore Glock and it was a really unique dark silver that gave me a smokey eye without having to actually mix any other shadows with it. For a more low key look you can pretty much use the dark shades as an eyeliner by using a slanted brush and just dust some of the lighter shades on your lid.


Final verdict:
Cost: $34, comes out to about $4.25 per eyeshadow color which is cheaper than some drugstore brands, plus it is all packaged in a beautiful silk screened box.
Is it worth it?: I definitely think it is worth it for the quality of the product and the uniqueness of the palette as a whole. If you are into the rocker look or just want to have some cool dark options this palette is a must.
Repeat offender: Most definitely, I have my eye on two other Kat Von D for Sephora palettes including Momento Mori and True Love.
-M

By the way guys, this is our 50th post!! Wooohoo!!

Milani Runway Eyeshadow, $6

(Milani Runway Eyeshadow in Black Out)
I first decided to try Milani Runway Eyeshadow on a trip to CVS. (I swear, they make you wait for your prescription just so you do some impulse buying!) I was attracted to this color, Black Out, because it looks like a disco ball and, let's face it, I'm pretty much attracted to anything that looks like a disco ball.


The eyeshadow comes with its own little sponge-brush applicator. It's a little small and oddly shaped--to be honest, it was kind of awkward to use without touching your face with the other side of the applicator. But hey, if you're on the go and that's all you've got, it can work in a pinch.

(top: wet sponge; bottom: dry sponge)
Milani encourages using the eyeshadow wet or dry, so I used both methods for the above swatch. As you can see, the dry eyeshadow is subtler and blends easier. The wet eyeshadow is more intense and catches more of the glittery sparkles (yay!). A disclaimer on the site warns that the glitter "over-spray" is only on the top (see 2nd photo above: you can tell where I've used it) but I really think they're selling themselves short. I've dug down deeper and there's still a ton of shimmer.

To me, Black Out isn't an accurate name--they describe it as "black with multicolored glitter." It's actually more of a gunmetal gray with silver glitter. As with a lot of glittery eyeshadows, the glitter kind of gets everywhere, but it's easy to wipe off. The last time I wore it was without the Urban Decay primer, and it lasted alright, wore off per usual. I suspect with the primer it would be better.

Final verdict
Cost: $6 is a usual price for a drugstore brand eyeshadow.
Color: The color, even though it's not exactly how they describe it on the site, is really pretty. I would suggest checking out the shadows in-store. It seems to be noticeably more intense when used with a wet sponge.
Staying power: Meh. Not terrible, not amazing. Use with primer, def.
Repeat offender: Sure, why not. I'd try their colors again. I'm not floored with the quality but it didn't disappoint me. The color showed up as I hoped it would, and it lasted about as long as I expected. If you catch yourself being drawn to their colorful display, I'd say give it a try.

EDIT: I don't know why the dry version looks brownish and weird, but I can assure you in person it's a dark gray! It looks very similar to the eyeshadow itself.

-T

Deep Throat, blush by Nars, $26

Remember the post I did on the epic Orgasm blush by Nars back in January? Well recently after one of my friends found an AMAZING Nars eyeshadow palette at a TJMaxx I went to one to scope out and see if they had any other Nars brand products on sale. What I came across with a Nars gift set that included a blush and a lipgloss for $20--can’t beat that. Since my Orgasm blush is running out I thought I’d give another Nars blush a chance.


Deep Throat is not as risqué as the name, compared to Orgasm, but it is still a good blush. It is very similar to Orgasm, but Deep Throat is less pink and more peach. The subtle sparkle and the glowing effect seems to be ingrained in Nars blushes no matter which one they are. I have been using this blush for about two weeks now and I find that I like the color even if it is a little more subtle than the Orgasm blush. Nars makes quality blushes and part of this is that they stay on long and you can use as much or as little as you want to achieve the effect you want.

Final verdict:
Cost: $26, looks like Nars blushes went up one whole dollar since I reviewed Orgasm back in January. Like I stated above, I got this blush for $20 with a lipgloss at TJMaxx so if you can find it there that would awesome but if not you can still get a cool set that comes with this blush from Sephora along with a couple other Nars products. Let me repeat though, one blush will still last you a pretty long time!
Will I achieve the glow?: Most definitely Nars knows how to make girls glow.
Repeat offender?: I prefer the Orgasm blush to Deep Throat only because it has a more complex color, but both work wonderfully on my skin tone. But yes Nars blush will always and forever be a repeat offender for me!

-M

Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow, $4

(Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow in Urban Brown)

The other day I wrote about how I didn't have much luck with Maybelline's pencil eyeliner. I have, however, enjoyed Maybelline's eyeshadow, especially their "high pearl finish" colors. I particularly love this beautiful shade called Urban Brown. It's a dark metallic golden brown, almost like a muddy copper. It's velvety soft, builds up nicely, and stays on pretty well, even without primer. Maybe I'm biased against matte shades in general, but I've found their textured ones to be of better quality; I think they have more pigment, more blendability, and more staying power. Check them out in stores before buying though--the websites I've found don't show the colors very accurately.

I'm wearing Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Original, Maybelline Expert Wear Eyeshadow in Urban Brown, Clinique's Cream Liner in True Black, CoverGirl Pencil Eyeliner in Black Onyx (inner rim only), Maybelline's Full N' Soft Mascara in Very Black, Nars Orgasm blush, and my girl Hello Kitty

Final verdict
Cost: $4 is an amazing price--you don't have to be scared of trying something new.
Quality: I'm impressed with the quality of their high pearl finish eyeshadow--soft, good colors, stays on pretty well. I've tried their matte shades and they haven't wowed me as much.
Wearability: Ok, so maybe completely gold-brown eyelids aren't for you. It would also work with a lighter coat or blended into the crease. They have a lot of other colors in case brown isn't your cup of tea.
Repeat offender: I would buy more shades of their eyeshadow, definitely.

-T