Product Review: Clinique Even Better Eyes Dark Circle Corrector

I always love trying out new eye creams.  A couple of month ago I got my hands on the Clinique Even Better Eyes (retails for $41.00 for 0.34oz) which is an oil-free hydrating cream that lightens dark under eye circles.

This eye cream is a tinted nude color cream which acts to de-puff and eliminate dark under eye circles.  Because of the tinted color, I would opt for using this during the day versus nighttime.  However, I would not just rely on this cream to cover up dark circles under makeup - I would still use a separate concealer.  

Clinique boasts that this cream is clinically proven to visibly lighten dark circles by 30% in 12 weeks.  Did I find this to be true? Definetly not. Even after using this cream after a couple of months.  I did not see any brightening of my under eye circles.  

The cream itself feels lightweight. You apply the cream by gently squeezing a small amount of product out of the tube and the using the applicator to spread the cream under your eye in a back and forth motion.  The applicator creates a cooling effect and is much better than using your finger to spread the cream under your eyes.  You should use this cream twice a day, and reapply as needed throughout the day.  

Hair Trend Summertime Braids

With all this heat and humidity on the East Coast the last couple of days, I really wanted my hair out of my face but wanted my hair to look put together at the same time. What I needed was a quick, easy, and low maintenance hair style.

So what did I do? I created simple look that has a braid and a low bun. Here's the look from the side:

The look is super easy to achieve. Here's how you do it:

1. Create a side part with a comb (You can use towel dried hair, blow dried hair, or hair that hasn't been washed for a day)
2. At the start of the part, take the front section of hair and start braiding. Make sure you start taking pieces of hair and incorporating it into the braid (like a small french braid)
4. When the braid gets near your ear, take all your hair and secure with an elastic so it's in a low ponytail
5. Twist hair into a bun and secure with bobby pins.

As other options you can leave your hair in a ponytail without a low bun or you can braid the rest of your hair.

Product Review: Hourglass No. 28 Primer Serum

I was at Sephora looking for a face primer and stumbled upon the No. 28 Primer Serum by Hourglass. I bought the 0.33 oz size (retails $22.00 here) and was quite excited to try this product out.  The formula is a hydrating, oil blend serum that you put on your face before putting on makeup (hence it is a face primer).

The No. 28 Primer Serum is an oil blend which glides onto your skin, evens pores, and shields against environmental aggressors.  The formula’s hydrating oil provides a smooth surface before makeup application. This formula is packed with great key ingredients. The number 28 in the name signifies key ingredients such as 14 essential oils (lavender, geranium, rose geranium, vanilla, clove, orange peel, amyris, lemon peel, petitgrain, eucalyptus, rosemary leaf, bois de rose, cedar leaf, ylang ylang), 10 lipid-rich plant oils (jojoba, rose hips seed, evening primrose, hazelnut, borage seed, kukui nut, sweet almond, green tea, olive, and cherry pit), and four vitamins (A, B5, C, and E).

So how do I use this product? I put on my moisturizer and eye cream first.  Then I use a small amount of the primer serum - one small pump for my whole face is sufficient. I then wait a couple of minutes for the oil to dry before applying my foundation.  The serum isn’t greasy or oily feeling at all; it sinks into your skin resulting in hydrated feeling skin.

What are the results? The results are a smooth, long lasting makeup application! I seriously can last 9+ hours at work with my makeup in tact and also during a hot, sweaty day outside.  It's also great for winter-time when my face is dry.  This serum provides a great canvas for my makeup and my foundation glides effortlessly over my face.  As an added bonus the sales rep at Sephora mentioned that this serum can also be used alone as a hair serum!

Product Review: Brazilian Keratin Therapy Flat Iron Spray

Many Indian women either have naturally stick straight hair or extremely thick frizzy hair. I unfortunately I have been blessed (I use that term loosely) on the later. My hair is extremely thick, wavy, and frizzes up very easily.

I'm always on the hunt for a straightening spray that not only helps to straighten my hair but will also protect my hair. Basically a two in one product. I was in CVS a month ago and was looking for a product to use in my hair before using a flat iron. I stumbled upon the Brazilian Keratin Therapy Flat Iron Spray by Organix.

On the bottle, this product says it does the following:

"Rich coconut oil along with lush keratin proteins strengthen and soften the hair, while avocado oil and cocoa butter smooth the cuticle to hold straight, strong tresses, finishing with a brilliant glow and luminescent shine." 

Doesn't it sound wonderful? 

My hair before using the Brazilian Keratin Therapy Flat Iron Spray: 

My hair after using the Brazilian Keratin Therapy Flat Iron Spray: 

For those that are concerned with this product damaging your hair, this product is both sulfate and formaldehyde free.  My hair felt so much more softer after using this product.  This product is lightweight and does not weight down your hair or make your hair sticky.  As an added bonus is smells aaaaamazing like coconut!! 

How do you use this product? I run a hair brush through my hair to remove any tangles and then I part my hair into sections. I lightly spray the product onto my hair section by section and then let the product dry.  Then I go in with my flat iron like I would normally. I can fully straighten my hair in about 15 minutes! My hair pretty much stays straight all day and I've gotten so many compliments on it. 

I would recommend this product to everyone!

Product Review: Benefit Cosmetics They're Real! Mascara

Happy Friday loves! I wanted to talk about a new product I had recently tried the They're Real! Mascara by Benefit Cosmetics in jet-black color.  I usually use the DiorShow Blackout and I thought it was time for a change since I haven’t used any other mascara in months so I decided to take my chances with They're Real! by Benefit. 

What drew me to this mascara in the first place was the box and what this mascara claims to do: This claims to curl, volumize, lift, lengthen, and separate lashes..

94% Saw dramatic length & volume
90% Saw base-to-tip curl
94% saw visible lift
100% saw long-wearing results

So… does all this hold true? Yes, however, it depends on how you like your lashes. I like my lashes super voluminous, thick, and curled.  Here is the "before" picture:

What I first noticed was how the wand is designed. It separates all your lashes and does not clump up your lashes. The only downside to this is that you have to apply A LOT of coats in order to see a significant difference. I did also notice visible lift and my lashes did seem to curl upwards – I am guessing due to how the wand was designed. And Lastly, yes, this mascara is long-wearing. I had trouble getting it off but nothing that a great makeup remover won’t be able to get off.  And here is the "after" picture!

So, is this mascara worth the price? For me, I would say no. However, I think this mascara works great for work time – nothing crazy just simple and really separates your lashes.