PRODUCT REVIEW: Clarisonic Mia2

Nordstrom Anniversary is in full swing (I know, I know...I did not do a full post of all the stuff I wanted this year, mostly bec I didn't want that much this year! I am on a clothing ban!)  and one of the few items I wanted to get was a new Mia2. I have the Mia (Alien Laser Deathray Gun) and used it a few times a week off and on, but was hoping maybe if I had another speed that I would get more out of it besides zits. 

UNREAL Candy...REALLY stupid name, pretty good concept

A few weeks back I was milling around CVS and saw a display for candy that was "Unjunked", containing no artificials, no hydrogenateds, no corn syrups, no reservatives and no GMOs.  They are sweetened with agave and cane sugar and there appears to be a MUCH lower carb count in each one.  A version of things like M&Ms (regular and peanut), Reese's PB Cups, Milky Way and Snickers.  Being the sugar addicted fatass that I am, I obviously stocked up.

PRODUCT REVIEW: Case-Mate Vibe for iPhone

Photo credit: Case-Mate.com, Gadgetsin.com

About a month ago my quest for a new iPhone case brought me to the new Case-Mate Vibe. I had read about it online somewhere and it looked interesting bec the silicone part has some kind of curvature to allow the speaker output to amplify itself.  It bends the sound, if you will, so that it's louder.  I thought it might be cool to try out bec maybe Ill be able to hear the ringing better when it's inside the abyss of my bag.

PRODUCT REVIEW: Burberry Sheer Concealer pen

Photo credit: Gorgeous Skin Blog

I read a review on CafeMakeup last week about this stuff and another one on Gorgeous Skin...and while it seemed many liked this product, other reviews were not totally favorable, or outright saying it's awful and worthless, but like any sucker chasing a dream, I decided to give it a whirl, I was using a Nordstrom gift card, what did I have to lose? Exactly, nothing.  Besides my dignity, apparently.

PRODUCT REVIEW: Philip B. Russian Amber Imperial Shampoo

I have been DYING to try this stuff since I read a review of it in Lucky from Jean Godfrey-June. I am almost always hesitant with new shampoos and conditioners since my hair is bright copper, and introducing anything new can upset the fragile ecosystem I have going on. Everything I'd read indicated it should be safe for color, and for the most part it tends to be, though I don't use it on fresh color or freshly Ted-Gibson'd hair.  This would not be a budget-friendly buy, definitely a luxurious splurge.

PRODUCT REVIEW: SKII Facial Treatment Essence

Photo Credit: Bloomingdales.com

While in Chicago last week, I stopped in Saks to poke around as we were killing serious time waiting for a table at Giordano's. After lapping the Chloe Marcie bag I love for the 4th time, I wandered towards cosmetics to see which lines they had.  Inside I found an SKII counter, containing a product I have longed to try, but was too cheap to otherwise drop the cash on.   It made my hand and face feel like silk. Soft like I've never experienced.  SOLD!  I know that Cate Blanchett is a face for them, and loves this stuff, so any opportunity to throw some cash down to look even a little like that...hell yea! 

PRODUCT REVIEW: Tweezerman ProCurl Eyelash Curler

I was needing some replacement pads and or a replacement lash curler, to replace my slightly wobbly one.  Presently, I have an old Shu Uemura that I haven't used in about 4 years probably now, and currently have been using a Shiseido that has since been changed in the last probably 2 years, as I went to get more pads and saw that it was a new shape on the curler--much flatter now.  So I decided that before I reorder a new Shu, since you can't even get that at Sephora anymore and have to buy from the Shu website, I started looking around for a new one. I have a few Tweezerman implements, namely a lash comb (metal pointy things, hooray!) and tweezers, among others, that it might be worth checking out their curler.  As I was buying things on Nordstrom's site with giftcards already (cough BURBERRY CONCEALER!) I decided to toss this into the mix.

PRODUCT REVIEW/COMPARE: Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer VS Loreal Magic Lumi Concealer

I am a glutton for punishment. Seriously.  Short answer: IF I had to choose one, Maybelline. But they both mostly blow chunks.

Loreal: Super sheer. I get irrationally angry reading the word concealer on this thing. The damn thing doesn't cover anything. It's seriously see through completely.

Maybelline: Less sheer, but at least has a little something going on in the pigment department. Where this one beats Loreal, and not by a lot, there is some kind of shimmery business in it. That actually does make a difference, hence why I plaster my whole eye area in ten pounds of champagne shimmer eyeshadow.  In photos it seems decent when compared to the Loreal, but not by a lot.

PRODUCT REVIEW: Malin+Goetz SPF15 Moisturizer

While in Chicago last week, I stopped in Barneys for one of the less awkward Oak Street shopping experiences I had. At least there they took advantage of my desire to buy things I cannot readily acquire at home, and yknow, acknowledged my existence.  I really liked Andrew, with Malin+Goetz, who is a registered esthetician.  That to me is kind of a big deal, because they're at least trained to understand skin.  By someone not a brand, in theory.  Of the two skincare items I picked up in Chicago, this so far is a definite winner for me, which I hope continues. 

PRODUCT REVIEW: Maybelline VolumeExpress MEGAPLUSH Mascara (waterproof)

A few weeks ago I picked up a tube of this MegaPlush mascara because I can't seem to track down the Full n Soft WP anymore, without buying online, so I am sad that it's appearing to be phased out or discontinued.  Nothing even comes close so that's a shame.

PRODUCT REVIEW: Tom Ford Illuminating Highlight Pen

The Tom Ford Illuminating Highlight Pen, masquerading as a concealer, is another of the items I got while in Chicago, and another "concealer" that needs to not be marketed as such.  I should note that I accidently typed suck instead of such.  It's appropriate.

PRODUCT REVIEW: By Terry Touche Veloutee Concealer

This might be a record for me to actually DO the review within a week of the purchase...

While on a weekend in Chicago, I was on a mission to obtain and test out a few new products, especially concealers, as I think you are aware by now I have a fixation on.  I know that's a bigger shopping market with significantly better and bigger selections of products to choose from. And I was correct.  One of my first stops was at the Barneys on Oak at Rush, where I knew they sold Kevyn Aucoin, By Terry, and Malin+Goetz.  I have a review on a Malin+Goetz product coming soon, I am trying to get a little more use from it before I decide one way or another--though so far good.

REVIEWS TO COME...Plus a "note" to all salespeople

I just had a (poorly timed, what with Nordstrom Anniversary this week!) huge haul in Chicago over the weekend. So Ill be busting out a few reviews here shortly after I try everything I got!

A few include PhilipB Russian Amber shampoo (jesus H this stuff is ridiculously priced!), ByTerry concealer pen, Tom Ford concealer pen, and a couple Davines products. I just got home and haven't touched anythign yet. So HOPEFULLY they are all winners.

I will say this...attention all salespeople:  I might not be the richest or the poorest, I know I am not thin by any means, and Saturday I woke up to deal with more phone drama, so I wasn't exactly styled for shopping...but just bec I look like a slob doesn't mean I cannot throw down. So don't be a wench to me if you want to make rent this month.