Korres Deep Colour Mascara, $18

A great friend of mine swears by this mascara and when I saw her using it I knew exactly why. In just one or two strokes her eyelashes extended and were full and dark--just like I want! Korres Deep Colour mascara is sold exclusively at Sephora and is probably the first natural mascara I have ever tried.

The mascara goes on smooth, without clumping at all. I only use a few strokes, the brush applies the mascara very evenly so it doesn't require much layering. Though it is not waterproof it doesn't smear off or anything. Since it isn't waterproof it also comes off really easily without damaging your eyelashes. Some mascaras are difficult to take off and you can often lose a lash or two when trying to get it off.

I was really impressed with this mascara and actually bought a full tube of it to try for the first time, I had some serious trust in this product! It was definitely worth the splurge because I am happy with my long and full lashes.

Final verdict:
Cost: $18 for a big tube.
Does it come in any other colors?: This mascara is available in brown and black.
Expiration date?: You read that right, this mascara has an expiration date on the box. Kind of weird because I've never seen that before but I guess it makes sense if it is made with more natural products like rice bran. I ordered my tube so I didn't get to choose a date so if you're in the store I'd suggest looking out for a later date.
Repeat offender?: Yes! This mascara is great and I am so glad I tried it per my friend's suggestion.

-M

Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange Natural Soap, $5

A little while ago I reviewed Pacifica's Tuscan Blood Orange Perfume Solid. I loved the smell, but was disappointed at its lack of staying power. I decided to try their soap this time, because I still can't help but want to smell like a blood orange all the time (and this was much cheaper than the perfume spray!).

Thankfully, the soap is just $5 (for a pretty big bar) and smells exactly like the perfume solid--maybe even more so! The soap is just your basic all-natural soap, made with natural and vegan ingredients, including actual bits of blood orange.

The soap works well (like most bar soaps it can be a little drying), and smells fantastic. The smell lasts a little longer than the perfume solid. It especially fills your shower and bathroom with the wonderful scent. Mmm . . .

Final verdict
Cost: $5--very reasonable!
Scent: Smells exactly like the perfume solid I raved about earlier. OMG, can't stop smelling it!
Guilt-free: No chemicals, no animal products, and good for the environment. Portions of the sale even go to supporting clean water projects.
Repeat offender: I'd buy this again. I can't get over the beautiful smell! I would probably use it as a hand soap more than for my body, though. That way I could use it often and have the scent fill up my bathroom.

-T

Nature's Gate Pomegranate Sunflower Shampoo, $6

I picked up Nature's Gate Pomegranate Sunflower Hair Defense Shampoo at a trip to Whole Foods. I've been looking for a more natural shampoo and even though this one isn't sulfate-free, I decided to try it out. I picked this one because I color my hair constantly (my natural color is so dull!) and need something that won't strip out the color or my natural oils. I have to wash my hair daily (otherwise it gets gross) so I have to make sure it actually cleans my hair, too.

The first thing I noticed about this shampoo was its awesome smell--it's like fruit punch! Mmmm . . .

I've used the shampoo for about 2 months and I must say I really like it. It's gentle but gets my hair clean. (I brought it with me to the beach and it worked great!) My hair has felt manageable and soft, and my stylist noted how well my color has lasted. I say it's a winner!

Final verdict
Cost: $6 is a great price. I was paying twice as much for my other shampoo.
Scent: Fruit punch! Soooo yummy.
Clean: It doesn't leave any build-up on my hair, and actually gets it nice and clean.
Colored hair: It works great on my (very) colored hair and hasn't faded it a bit.
Repeat offender: I'll definitely buy it again! It's a great shampoo. And I think I'm now addicted to the scent.

-T

bareMinerals Blush in Pure Charm, $18

Another part of my Bare Escentuals kit is bareMinerals Blush in Pure Charm, a dramatic orangey-peachy-pink tone. The color is slightly more daring than I'm used to for blush. In some pics it looks neon! But when you see it it's actually much more of a rosy shade with hints of peach and gold.

The texture of the blush is really nice--soft, blendable, and buildable. I'm not really a fan of loose powder blush though, especially in such a small container, because it makes it hard for me to get it evenly distributed on my brush. I ended up using the cap as a little dish to catch the excess and moved the brush around in that. It seemed to work pretty well, but if I'm running around in the morning I'd be afraid of making a mess.

Applied sparingly (less than in this pic), it looks really nice on my skin tone. I think it would work with darker complexions as well. It's a perfect summer shade because it adds a bright pop of color that can blend well with a tan (or bronzer). And actually, I think it would look beautiful as an eyeshadow!

What I love about this color is the tiny gold sparkles. It gives the blush depth without compromising its strong pigment. I photographed it next to my staple, Nars Orgasm, which is more heavily infused with gold. As you can see, it's around the same shade, but more intensely pigmented.

Final verdict
Cost: $18 brand new, but they don't sell the color at Sephora anymore. Try looking for it on eBay and Amazon for as little as $8.
Texture: Just like the eyeshadow, I found it to be soft, blendable, and buildable. Feels like nothing's there at all!
Color: This color is a bit daring but it's easy to make it work. Just keep blending! The gold sparkles keep it from looking too shocking.
Repeat offender: I like this blush and would definitely understand why someone would want to buy it again--it's great quality and is a unique color. But I honestly can't really get over the inconvenience of the loose powder (it's slight, I know). I'll use it for sure, but I think I'll stick to pressed powder blushes. Maybe I'll just use this one as an eyeshadow instead!

-T

Bare Escentuals RareMinerals Skin Revival Treatment, $60

As I mentioned in my last entry, I bought a kit from Bare Escentuals that included an array of their products. The RareMinerals Skin Revival Treatment that can be found at Sephora is bigger than the sample sized one pictured here (0.15oz vs. 0.05oz). The color I got is Clear, which is meant for all skin tones.

The treatment is a little canister filled with concentrated minerals that are deposited with a little pouf. The minerals are meant to transform your skin overnight, fixing wrinkles, sun damage, pore size, blemishes, skin texture . . . basically everything. That's a lot to promise, but hey, for $60 it better do a lot! To use, you click it to "open" and rub the pouf on your skin in a circular motion, buffing away imperfections. The minerals work on your skin while you sleep.

I've used it pretty consistently for about a week now. The pouf is really soft and gentle, and it feels nice on sensitive skin. However, it's honestly hard to tell anything is coming out--well, except that the top turned from white to beige. Sometimes I'll kind of tap it on my skin to make sure some powder puffs up. If anything, at least the pouf is increasing circulation and buffing away some dead skin cells.

After I put it on, my skin feels softer, smoother, and less oily. It doesn't do much to cover the blemishes, but I don't really care because I'm going to sleep! I think if you got one in a color closer to your skin tone it might make a more noticeable difference.

So, does it work? I don't really know. The first night I used it I had a huge zit on my chin. The next morning it was obviously much smaller. I got excited, but I don't know if it's done much since then. I've had some breakouts after that and it hasn't done much for them. Maybe I need to use it for a longer time to see more results?

Final verdict
Cost: $60. Ouch. You can find it on Amazon for around $45, or try it in a kit (they have new ones often).
Texture: Right after using it my skin does feel soft and velvety, but not miraculously so. It would probably be easy on sensitive skin.
Fix-all?: Sigh, I don't know. My main problem is breakouts, and while it did help a little, it wasn't perfect by any means. I wonder if I have to use it for a longer period of time, or if it's not really meant for my skin problems.
Repeat offender?: No, I wouldn't buy this again. I'll use this until it's gone (or until I think it's gone . . . it's hard to tell) and hopefully it will do a little something, but I kind of doubt it. Bummer!

Our giveaway is still going strong! Can't wait to announce the winner on Monday! We're so excited about it that we're extending the deadline--you now have until Sunday night at 11:59pm to enter.

<3,
-T

bareMinerals Eyecolor, $13

I just bought the Heroes Super Color Collection from Bare Escentuals. Since there's so much to review in the collection, I thought I'd give each product their own separate entry. The set includes a Buxom gloss, which is awesome (check out Mirna's review here).

Today I'll review their bareMinerals eyecolor (loose eyeshadow) in Fearless and Freedom.

(Fearless and Freedom)

Fearless is a super dark forest green/gray/black with multicolored shimmer. Oh my, is it gorgeous! I was surprised at how pretty it really is, in that dark and dangerous kind of way. The picture on the website really doesn't do it justice.

The shadow is intense and highly pigmented. It is crazy dramatic as a shadow. It could be used as a liner, to add some depth to your crease, or blended with other colors.

Freedom is a sweet light blue with a hint of green (less green when applied, see photo below), decorated with tiny silver shimmers. It reminds me of a really clear summer day, when the sun bleaches out the sky.

The color is also really pigmented but is much more subtle. It would look really nice with blue or brown eyes, and coordinates nicely with Fearless.

(click on pic to enlarge)The versatility of these eyeshadows really impressed me. The top line is Freedom, shown (left to right) over Urban Decay primer, dry, and applied with a wet brush. The bottom line is Fearless, shown (left to right) over Urban Decay primer, dry, and applied with a wet brush. As you can see, these shadows can have quite different looks! With primer the colors are bright and clear. Worn dry they are more subtle and easily blended, for a nice day look. When applied with a wet brush they become intense and really shimmery. I love having options!

Final verdict
Cost: $13 each. Right now these particular colors are only available in the Heroes collection for a limited time. ($40 for a lot of awesome products, get it while you can!) I found Fearless on Amazon, so as always check there, too (and eBay).
Color: These colors are amazing! They have so much life and depth, and are unlike any other eyeshadows I have. I personally prefer Fearless because of the richness and drama, but Freedom is sweet and pretty as well.
Versatility: The colors look different whether they're worn dry, over primer, or applied wet. You can create a lot of distinct looks with just one color.
Repeat offender: Totally! I would definitely buy their eyeshadow again, as well as other products. Stay tuned for reviews of the other products in this collection.

Hey! Did you enter our giveaway? Remember, it ends Friday at 11:59pm!

-T

Burt's Bees Radiance Eye Creme, $18

So maybe I'm going through a quarter-life crisis or something, but I feel like I am getting some lines around my eyes. Ok, yeah, they're faint, but those 8x magnifying mirrors will get you overanalyzing everything. Anyway, since all the magazines do their best to indoctrinate us with "Prevention is Key!" messages, I decided to try to do something about it. I bought Burt's Bees Radiance Eye Creme partly because I want my eyes to look fab now and later, but mostly because I'm curious about royal jelly's role in beauty. Yes, royal jelly as in what they feed to bee larvae and queen bees.

Burt's Bees says that royal jelly is used because it is one of the most nutrient-rich substances in the world, containing tons of amino acids and vitamins. It is supposed to help smooth skin and reduce the effects of aging.

The first thing I noticed is its amazing scent. Oh man, it smells like a dream--honey, cream, and flowers. Mmm.

Also, it's super creamy. Its water-based formula is more thin than most eye creams, but this makes it feel like it's soaking right into your skin. It's cooling and soothing. It says to use it in the morning or evening, but I'd wear it at night only. It leaves your skin kind of slippery and I'd be afraid of my makeup sliding right off.

Final verdict
Cost: At first $18 seems kind of a lot for a tiny jar of cream (0.5 oz), but you really only need the tiniest amount. I can't see myself finishing it! Plus, it has royal jelly in it. How many products can claim that?
Texture/smell: Super creamy/heaven.
Anti-aging?: So, has it helped diminish my 24-year-old eye lines? I don't really know. These kinds of things are so subjective. Plus, I have to admit I haven't been using it as consistently as I should. But, I feel like the skin around my eyes has more life when I wake up, like it's brighter.
Repeat offender: I'd buy this again, sure. I really like the way it feels and I feel like it brightens up my skin. Honestly, I can't tell if it's significantly helping in the anti-aging crusade, but I know it can't hurt!

-T

Korres Blush, $24

(Korres Blush in 22 Purple)
Sephora had a sale on Korres Blush for a while ($10 instead of $24), so I decided to try it out. One thing that got me interested is their all-natural stance: they don't use parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, or phthalates (ok, I don't know what the last one is, but I'm sure a quick trip to Wikipedia will tell me it's probably not good). Sephora gives it their natural seal, basically saying they found this makeup to be awesome and awesome for you. Sounds good! Also, I was interested to try a "purple" shade since I always lean toward pink or peach.

(Korres Blush)
(back)
The container is really clean and fresh, reflecting their belief in simple, natural products. First thing I noticed (as you might have in the first pic): umm, this isn't really that purple. Looks to me like a dusty rose shade. But, ok, still a really pretty color. Just not really what I expected.

The blush itself is really soft and very highly pigmented. I'd recommend dabbing the blush brush in once, lightly, before adding more. It's not shimmery per se (like my standby, Nars Orgasm) but it does have very subtle light-reflecting particles that add the tiniest bit of glow. Really cute and natural!

I put on a lot here for the pic so you could really get an idea for the color. I think it's beautiful and the texture is super light and smooth. I gotta say I'm impressed!

Final Verdict
Cost: $24 is almost the price I pay for Nars, and with a great product I understand why it's expensive. I say if you find a color you like, it would be worth it. You don't have to use much so it would last a while. Sold only at Sephora (or Amazon!).
Glowing: The blush is light and soft, and the color is highly pigmented, sprinkled with glow-inducing loveliness. It would be really nice for someone who wants a little bit of sparkle without it being obvious.
Color: You'll want to check out the colors in-person first--I was expecting a deepish purple and got a dusty rose instead. Not a bad color but a bit of a surprise, for sure.
Repeat offender: Based on my experience with this, I would definitely buy more from Korres. I'm not really in the market for more blush but their other products seem interesting. Plus, they seem to go on sale a lot, which is always a plus!

-T

Trader Joe's Tea Tree Oil Pure Vegetable Soap (bar), $1.50

I went to Trader Joe's the other day and decided to try their Tea Tree Oil Bar Soap. I love TJ's, love their oatmeal soap, and really love tea tree oil. A lot of all-natural beauty products (especially soaps and shampoos) contain tea tree oil--it's a natural astringent, is antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, and may even have some of the same skin-clearing benefits of benzoyl peroxide (thanks, Wikipedia!). Plus, it's $1.50 for 2 bars--what do you have to lose?


I loooove the smell of tea tree oil. The first time I smelled it was when I got pure tea tree oil to clean my belly button ring (lol). I opened it and was like, "Whew!" It's strong! But there was something in it that is really clean and natural--nothing smells quite like it. The fragrance is much less intense in this bar soap compared to the pure oil, but still is distinct. The soap smells nicely in the shower but doesn't leave much of a lingering scent.

This vegetable soap is all-natural and contains no animal byproducts (and, of course, there's no animal testing). A lot of all-natural soaps don't really lather that much, but this one soaps up really nicely. I used a loofa (mesh sponge thing) and was surprised at how much lather I got out of it. It left my skin feeling tight and clean--I used it after working out and it felt like it really cleaned away that yucky, sweaty feeling.

Final verdict
Cost: $1.50--are you kidding? That's nothing! Totally worth it.
Smell: I love the scent of tea tree oil, but it may not be so great to everyone. Try smelling some before you buy it. (They have the oil at TJ's, but smell lightly!)
Clean feeling: This soap left me feeling clean and left my skin feeling tight. I think I could probably even use it for my face if I'm feeling really oily (with some light moisturizer).
Repeat offender: I would buy this again. It's a deal and it's a great, cruelty-free soap. Yay, TJ's!

-T

Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Buttermilk Lotion, $7-9

The first time I smelled this lotion I was at my friend’s house on a hot summer day. We were just hanging out getting ready for some thing or another and we “borrowed” her sister’s lotion. My reaction? The smell, oh the smell, the sweet milk and honey smell is what did me in, and the next day I had to have my own bottle.

This lotion is formulated for the sensitive and soft skin of a baby so you can imagine the gentleness. The lotion is not too thick but don’t let the more liquidy-texture fool you, it hydrates just as well as a super thick lotion, but since it is an all-natural product many of those thickening agents are left out. I think it is a perfect light weight moisturizer for the summer when you don’t want to feel a gooey buildup on your skin. I would also highly suggest this for anyone who has an issue with sensitive skin, even on the front of the bottle it says “for sensitive skin of all ages.”


Final verdict:
Cost: Priced between 7 and 9 dollars, one 7 oz bottle will last you a while. You can also find this bottle of lotion with a pump sometimes, to make it easier to apply.
How does it smell?: The smell is pretty mild but definitely noticeable. It has that soft and fresh scent that many baby products contain but it also has a hint of milk and honey in my opinion. There is actual buttermilk in this product (it is in powdered form so don’t worry you don’t have to refrigerate or anything lol) so there is a creamy and sweet element added.
Repeat offender?: Yes, I love Burt’s Bees products in general and once I am out of the Baby Bee Buttermilk Lotion I will definitely pick up another bottle.
-M

PS—There is a Clinique sale on Gilt.com today starting at noon! If you don’t have an account leave a comment with your email or email me at sweetglowbeauty [at] gmail.com and I’ll send you an invite!