Archive for Product Reviews
April 8, 2008 at 9:19 am
· Filed under Home, Product Reviews ·Tagged anthropologie, candle, home accents, olivina bath and body, olivina classic candle, Product Reviews, style
Yesterday on my way home from work I stopped in Anthropologie and bought the cutest candle from Olivina. Three inviting fragrances called to me from the large antique table as I passed them, but which one? Classic Olive, Lavender, or Meyer Lemon? All of them smelled absolutely delicious and I simply love the sweet, inviting scent of a candle burning somewhere in the background of a room, so I would gladly buy any one of them.
After about five minutes of internal deliberation, I was this close to buying the Olivina Classic Olive candle, reasoning it would be the perfect background aroma in my kitchen and especially calming while I am doing dishes and general clean up after dinner, but then I picked up the Meyer Lemon candle, and knew I had to purchase it.
I love the smell of fresh lemons, so when I passed it wrapped up in it’s lovely packaging, I tried to resist it’s claim “tart citrus meets the heady sweetness of honeysuckle”. Like I could pass that up? Obviously this candle is sitting on my desk burning sweetly as I type this post.
Made from natural beeswax, this lovely glass-lidded, poured candle evokes the clean, fresh scent of tart, ripe lemons growing in the warm California sunshine, and is a lemon lovers dream!
I’m already a huge fan of olivina soap and lotions, so it’s no big surprise that the candle kicks is heaven. Whether you choose Classic Olive, Lavender, or my favorite Meyer Lemon, Olivina candles each have up to 60 hours of burn time, so you can enjoy these intensely fragrant candles hours and hours.
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April 7, 2008 at 8:21 am
· Filed under Lips, Natural Beauty, Product Reviews ·Tagged beauty, lip gloss, mode cosmetics, Natural Beauty, Product Reviews
I’m always on the lookout for new beauty products, so I was excited to hear about Mode Cosmetics. Co-creators Cristina Samuels and Jennifer Isaac pride themselves on producing high quality products that are natural, effective, and affordable, so obviously I enthusiastically checked out their website myself.
Created with natural botanicals and essential oils, the key ingredient list for their cosmetics reads like a shopping list for the farmer’s market: Peppermint, orange, and avocado oils, strawberry, watermelon and wildberry flavors, vanilla beans…I could go on and on.
From long wearing lip liners and super smooth eye pencils, to lip balms, glosses and lip shines loaded with good-for-you ingredients like shea butter and sweet almond oil, Mode Cosmetics certainly has left me wanting to try many of their products, and the pricing is so great, a girl like me could really go nuts. Did I mention the free shipping over $50 offer?
It might take me some time to choose from the 90 shades of chip resistant nail polish, but based on my original perusal of colors, if you are looking for that special shade, I’m sure they have it!
It’s difficult to decide what I’d like to try first, but the full coverage lipsticks (in 36 shades) especially tempt me. The product description page reads, “super high pigment, long lasting lipstick that hugs lips with luxurious rich color in buttery creams and natural pearl frosts.” Of course I want to try that. Seriously, who wouldn’t want their lips to be enveloped in the silky smooth texture of organic shea butter, nourishing oils, beeswax, and Vitamin E?
With an emphasis on simplicity, a commitment to using non-wasteful packaging, and the healthy benefits and the fresh aromas you expect from natural products, Mode Cosmetics generously puts the glamour in green!
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April 3, 2008 at 12:25 pm
· Filed under Face, Product Reviews, Self Tanner ·Tagged beauty, Body, chanel self tanner, Face, product review

Chanel Precision Soleil Identite Perfect Colour Face – Self Tanner. Created from a unique formulation combining white lily extract for calming, tomato extract for brightening, and copper pearl for smoothing away signs of aging, this lightweight self tanner is gentle enough for the most sensitive skin and promises a gradual glow while reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles at the same time.
With a wonderfully dreamy, lightweight feel and a non-greasy texture you expect from a Chanel product, this self tanner goes on like silk and gives you a subtle, sun-kissed look, that develops gradually in a few hours. Available at
Bergdorf Goodman in two colors: Bronze and Golden.
Bonus: The added SPF helps protect your faux glow from the real sun.
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April 2, 2008 at 7:37 pm
· Filed under Hair, Product Reviews ·Tagged alfaparf cristalli gel, beauty, hair styling, product review, style

I rarely like to use a gel in my hair unless it’s a lightweight texture, and works wonders. Well, here is that gel: Alfaparf Cristalli Illuminating Shine Shaping Gel. It’s excellent for maximum shine and hold, but it doesn’t weigh my hair down or make it stiff. I was introduced to the Alfaparf brand a while ago, and love their conditioners, so I thought I’d give some of their other products a try. Let me say, I am glad I did. The Cristalli Illuminating Shine Shaping Gel is made with linseed extract and microcristillines that give a shiny, high gloss finish. Also containing silicones, this gel creates a subtle wet look that can be remoulded whenever you want, without looking overdone. Great on short hair.
Available in salons nationwide.
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April 2, 2008 at 12:04 pm
· Filed under Body, Face, Moisturize, Natural Beauty, Product Reviews ·Tagged beauty, Moisturize, Natural Beauty, organic beauty, product review, style, trilogy rosehip oil
Right now I am loving this rosehip oil from Trilogy. Perfect for smoothing out dry skin, repairing sun damage and reducing the signs of premature ageing (not that any of us are worried about that), this 100% organic oil is super-fine and absorbs into your skin in an instant. It is also claims to assist your skin in repair and new growth as it provides essential nutrition and aides your natural moisture balance. Just the right consistency for a nighttime treat, this rosehip oil is gentle enough to use on your face, but effective enough to use on your body, providing the best botanical skin care while you sleep.
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April 2, 2008 at 9:11 am
· Filed under Lips, Moisturize, Product Reviews ·Tagged chapped lips, dry lips, lip balm, lip care, Lips, Moisturize, product review
Do my lips get drier when the weather gets warmer? Or maybe that is just my excuse to get another lip balm. OK, maybe I already have a few (hundred) laying around, but I just can’t resist! My fave of the moment is Einstein Lip Therapy. It gives you intense moisture without that waxy, greasy feel. It’s jam packed with cocoa butter and vitamins A and E to heal those chaps and keep them away for good. No one wants to kiss you with dry lips. No one. This healthy balm is infused with vanilla and a hint of mint, sure to leave you kissable in no time, and the shine is delish!
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April 1, 2008 at 7:39 pm
· Filed under Brushes, Face, Product Reviews ·Tagged clarisonic skin care brush system, facial, Product Reviews
Wow, I just tried this Clarisonic Skin Care Brush System and it really made a difference on my skin. At first I am always skeptical about using anything to scrub my very sensitive skin, but after some deliberation, I decided to try it. Am I glad I did!
The dual brush design gave me a gentle, yet deep cleaning and the Clarisonic Daily Cleanser definitely improved my skin’s tone & clarity. I loved being able to adjust the power levels, great for a beginner like me! Plus, it’s just so attractive. It’s really similar to one of those hi-tech machines they use at the spa. The built-in charging cradle allows me to charge it when it’s not in use, and seeing it sitting out on my counter reminds me to take the time to pay more attention to my face.
Now I can have a daily facial for free. It looks like a million bucks and makes me feel like a million bucks – that’s the best of both worlds!
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April 1, 2008 at 9:01 am
· Filed under Perfume, Product Reviews ·Tagged beauty, fragrance, lollia breathe, Perfume, Product Reviews, scents

Some women like wearing a signature scent, a perfume they won’t leave home without wearing, leaving a scented reminder of themselves like an olfactory calling card that lingers for a few seconds after they have left the room. Other women prefer wearing many different fragrances according to their mood, the weather, the occasion, or the time of day. Being part of the latter group, it’s pretty safe to say that I’ve rarely met a perfume I didn’t like, and that I have many, (MANY) bottles of splashes, scents, and sprays to choose from as I get ready for work every morning.
With my willingness to sample many different perfumes, I often find myself layering various scents together, creating my own new concoctions on a pretty regular basis, but I have certain favorite fragrances that I go back to time and time again, and one of them is
Lollia Breathe Eau de Parfum.Presented in a pretty glass bottle silk screened with a delicate peony design on the front and trimmed with a pale satin ribbon adorned with a hanging cut-glass crystal, Lollia Breathe Eau de Parfum smells as feminine and delicate as it’s presented. This light, floral scent is a beautiful mixture of white lily and peony with top notes of orange, grapefruit, and hints of additional fresh green notes.
Never overbearing and absolutely appropriate for every occasion from a trip to the grocery store to a hot date, this soft scent is definitely on my list of must-haves, and if you are looking for a light, girlie fragrance, this spray should be on the top of your list also, especially for the spring and summer!
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March 31, 2008 at 8:51 am
· Filed under Product Reviews, Smile ·Tagged beauty, dr. smigel, oral care, Product Reviews, style, super smile, teeth whiteners, tooth whitening, toothpaste
I really like this Total Oral Care Whitening System from SuperSmile. You just simply brush your teeth and go. It’s the perfect system for anyone looking to whiten their smile safely and gently without all those messy, icky trays. I’ve used other whitening systems that are very harsh and honestly, I’d rather not suffer for my smile. The best part about Supersmile is that it causes no sensitivity. Nada. But it works. My teeth are fresh, clean, and getting whiter and whiter every time I use it. Supersmile has also been known to work on restoring color to porcelain veneers, bondings, and crowns, without harmful bleaches or harsh abrasives. I’d like to give it up for Dr. Smigel, creator of the brand, who treats the smiles of some of cool celebs like – Kelly Ripa, Jimmy Fallon, Kristen Bell, Elizabeth Taylor…. Talk about being in good company, those are some super smiles!
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March 26, 2008 at 8:53 am
· Filed under Body, Moisturize, Natural Beauty, Product Reviews ·Tagged bath and body, beauty, body lotion, burt's bees, Natural Beauty, natural beauty products, paraben free beauty, Product Reviews
I am a bonafide moisture junkie. From hydrating lotions and bath oil sprays to thick, rich body butters and creams, my skin drinks up a moisturizer faster than my flat iron heats up, and I have a CHI so you know that’s fast! Always a lover of the various fragrances and textures I experience from product to product, I’m favoring the sweet scent and lightweight feel of Burt’s Bees Naturally Nourishing Milk & Honey Body Lotion lately.
Think of the calming properties of milk combined with the nourishing, restorative properties of honey (and a little coconut oil) mixed into a silky, smooth lotion that softens your skin from head to toe. You can practically feel it calming your skin the second you smooth it on, and the soft honey scent is really yummy, not too thick or sugary.
To me, Burt’s Bees products are truly one of a kind. Their corporate mission is dedicated to scouring the earth in search of the most natural, effective ingredients available, and they intentionally design their packaging so that you’ll use the products up before they expire. How smart is that?
With en environmentally friendly packaging, and gentle formulations created from as many natural ingredients as possible, Burt’s Bees products really are “harvested from nature.” I really love their entire product line, but today is a milk and honey day.
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