First Impression: Maybelline Baby Lips Electro Collection

          This will be a first impression on the Maybelline Baby Lips Electro Collection. These were purchased by me from Rite at $3.79 each. The 3 colors I picked up is a pink coral color (the one on the left) #95 Strike a Rose, a purple color (the middle one) #80 Berry Bomb, and a magenta color (the right one) #70 Pink Shock. I believe there are 6 colors in this collection including a green one, a yellow one, and a neon orange one. Also keep in mine, my lips are usually pretty dry (because I don't drink water, I know I should drink more water, but I hate water! It's hard... oh first world problems...) and it doesn't take much to hydrate them and make them smooth.

Here is a closer up of the colors:

Berry Bomb (L), Pink Shock (M), Strike a Rose (R)

Here are the swatches of the colors:

After 3 swipes

          The packaging says that this was made with Shea butter and Vitamin E. It also says 8hr moisture. (It doesn't actually say the words "provides 8hr moisture," just 8hr moisture. I am assuming they are letting the consumer infer that it provides 8 hr moisture. 

          The packaging claims that:

               88% of people had smoother lips

               82% of people has less dry lips

               70% of people had suppler lips

               83% of people had better looking lips

               *These claims are based on self evaluation of a panel of people after 1 week. 

          

          Also some interest facts to note:

          1) There are no parabens listed in the ingredients.

          2) There is no SPF in these (unlike in some of the ones in the permanent line)
          3) Maybelline does test on animals. The packaging does not mention that it is cruelty free and according to the Peta website, they do test on animals. 

          4) They can stain your lips a little. I totally did not expect them too. It's been four hours since I swatched these on my hand and after some tough rubbing, there is a subtle stain left.

         As for my first impression on this product, so far they seem to work exactly like any of the other baby lips I own. They moisturize, they hydrate, they smooth, and they tint your lips. They have a subtle fragrance to them, somewhat of a waxy taste (but not too bad), and gives off a very subtle color payoff. The colors are very bold and beautiful and the fact they only give a hint of color means you can wear them without looking crazy!!! Some colors appear more on the lips than others. If you look at the swatch picture, Berry Bomb has the least amount of color payoff and also the least vibrant on the lips. However, I will say Berry Bomb is my favorite because I love the color purple and it gives a slight purple overtone on my lips that makes it a lot more wearable!

         The only difference these seem to have from the other baby lips is the packaging. Instead of a tube of some bright or pastel color, these baby lips are all in a swirl dark gray container. For me, these definitely look more sleek than the original ones. Other than that, no differences at all. The only problem I have with baby lips (in general, not just this line) is they never really permanently smooths or hydrates me lips when I'm not wearing it. But then again, in that self evaluation, not 100% of people showed results in every category they measured.

My Overall First Impression Rating: 95/100

          Whether or not I will do an update has yet to be determined. I'll play around with these a little more and if they seem to differ from the original baby lips I'll let you know. Maybe they will permanently hydrate my lips until the ones in the permanent line, who knows....

Until then...

-Cindy

*All research materials were either found on the packaging, Google, Wikipedia, or Peta.org.

Review: Olay Fresh Effects (BB Cream) Skin Perfecting Tinted Moisturizer With Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 15

          As promised, this will be my review on the Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream. This item was sent to me by Influenster for their Sunkissed VoxBox. The product retails for $12.99, however I have seen it as Rite Aid for $13.99. You can also purchase this online at Olay Fresh Effects Website or Amazon This is not a first impressions, because I have owned this product myself for the past 2-3 months or so, but because of this I can do a very thorough review of this product. Also keep in mind I have combination skin. I have no idea how it works on just dry or oily skin.

          First off, this is how Olay describes this product, as stated on the box:

          "Fresh & free: No oil or PABA. Just the good stuff. BB Cream, also known as beauty balm, is one of Asia's hottest beauty sensations. Its multi-tasking formula works to moisturize, brighten and help protect skin from harmful UV rays. This silky, tinted lotion blends effortlessly with your natural skin tone, helping hide imperfections and minimizing the need for concealer and foundation. With just one use, skin will be left glowing and naturally even." 

          Do I think this product:
               Moisturizes? Yes
                   Contains Glycerin
               Brighten? Only at the time of application, yes. Over a period of time, no.
               Help protect skin from harmful UV rays? Yes
                    Contains Avobenzone 3% (absorbs UVA rays), Homosalate 4%, Octisalate 4.5%
                    (absorbs UVB rays), and Octocrylene 2.6%: all are used as sunscreen
               Is a silky, tinted lotion? No, it does not feel silky. Yes, it feels like lotion and is tinted.
               Blends effortlessly with your natural skin tone? Yes
               Helping hide imperfections? Yes
               Minimize the need for concealer and foundation? Somewhat
       
          Secondly, these are the claims in which Olay makes about this product, stated on the box:

          "Fresh & Flawlessly Beautiful: Models get airbrushed. We get Olay BB Cream, with 24-hour hydration and a splash of sheer color for a flawlessly radiant look. Say bye bye to blotches and imperfections, and hello to instant skin-perfecting coverage.  

                    6 Skin Perfecting Benefits:
                         Refreshes
                         Brightens
                         Evens tone
                         Hydrates
                         Smoothes
                         Protects

          All-in-one solution for instantly brighter-looking, smoother-feeling, more even skin tone."

          Does this product:
               Refreshes? Yes
               Brightens? As before: Only at the time of application, yes. Over a period of time, no.
               Evens tone? Yes
               Hydrates? Yes
               Smoothes? Yes
               Protects? Yes

          Thirdly, while reading the box I stumbled upon some interesting facts. (Well, maybe not interesting, but more good to know facts).
          1) There is an expiration date: The one I bought 2-3 months ago says it expires on 03/2014 as well as the one that I just received from Influenster. I assume this is because of the ingredients used for sunscreen.
          2) There are parabens and fragrance in this product. In the list of ingredients you will find:  methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, and fragrance.
          3) In the directions, it does say reapply at least every 2 hrs. I assume this is for sun protection and the sunscreen property of this product.
          4) Olay does test on animals. No where on this box does it say cruelty free. I also checked the Peta website and Olay is on the list of companies that does test on animals.

          Finally, what you have been waiting for, my honest review. I think this product does exactly what it is suppose to do: it is a lotion that hydrates your skin, protects you from the sun, evens out your skin tone, and gives you sheer coverage. When you put it on your skin, it feels just like a lotion. It also doesn't give off the "suncreen smell," but rather a fresh scent. It doesn't feel heavy and doesn't get cakey. However, it won't last you all day. Since it is only SPF 15, it won't protect for hours in the sun. The sheer coverage also starts to fade within an hour or 2 (this fading process accelerates if it is a hot day and you are sweating, or in my case, melting). As for brightening properties, it makes my skin healthy looking when I first apply it, but as for brightening over time, I do not think this product does that. (I also can't tell because I have been gradually getting dark due to the sun. Remember sunscreen protects you from harmful UV rays and sadly not cover you from tanning). If you skin is naturally flawless, this product could very well replace your foundation and concealer. But for everyone else out there that have imperfections like me, this won't be a good way to cover  up those imperfections. However, everyone can use this product as sunscreen (unless you are allergic or your skin gets irritated because of it).

My Overall Rating 90/100.

If you read through all that or have tried this also, leave me a comment telling me how my review went or how you like the product!

Also, before I forget.....

 Before the Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream

After the Olay Fresh Effects BB Cream

You be the judge... Does my hand look better or worse after the BB Cream? 

Until next time...

-Cindy

*All research materials were either found on the packaging, Google, Wikipedia, or Peta.org. You can also find more information at Olay Fresh Effects Website.

Influenster Sunkissed VoxBox

          So as promised, this will be a post about the Influenster Sunkissed VoxBox. All products mentioned in this post was provided by Influenster for testing.

          If you don't know what Influenster is, I'll give you a quick blurb about it. Influenster is a site in which people review a variety of products and post their opinion about them. In order to received VoxBoxes (aka free stuff) you must complete a number of different tasks to get your "score" as high as possible to qualify for a VoxBox. This score is basically how influential you are; 0 being no influence to 100 being Oprah status of influence. The idea behind Influenster is basically marketing and advertising. You will notice most tasks involves linking Influenster with all your social media. This is even more apparent when you receive a VoxBox. However, like my mother always said "Nothing comes free."

          When you qualify for a VoxBox, you will be asked to complete a survey in which they determine whether you are the right person to review the products they have to send out. Sometimes you will get it, sometimes you won't. Once you get your VoxBox, there are additional tasks you must do with your VoxBox. Again, this plays into marketing and advertising. For the Sunkissed VoxBox, some of the tasks involve tweeting about the products, posting on facebook about them, instagraming pictures, etc. Though I hate how I have to basically sell these products to people, I do believe in honestly reviewing these products in attempts to better inform the general public about what to not waste their money on. Besides, I did receive these products free of charge and the least I can do is promote them like they asked while still giving an honest review of whether they are worth the hype.

         So without further adieu....Influenster Sunkissed VoxBox

The package it came in.

A brief description of the products provided

The products inside the Sunkissed VoxBox. 

          As of right now, the only product I have tried from this box is the Olay Fresh Effects (BB Cream) Skin Perfecting Tinted Moisturizer With SPF 15 because I bought this product about 2 months ago. So the obvious next review will be on this BB cream. Once I have had a chance to try the other products, other reviews will follow. Until then....

-Cindy 

Welcome!

          Hopefully, this will be the first of many posts on this blog. I have been a student for about 18 years, and now that I have graduated, I find myself with a lot of free time I normally did not have before. Of course I am still job hunting and looking for ways to beef up my CV as I apply to graduate school, but in the meantime, why not do something I have never done before?
          Beauty has always been a interest of mine. It all started when I subscribed to Elle Folwer's youtube channel (allthatglitters21), and ever since then I have been a beauty junkie. Part of it is due to the researcher inside of me, I always want to try new things and see what works and what doesn't. The other part in due to the girly-girl inside of me that cannot get enough glittery, colorful "stuff." So here we are: me starting a beauty blog.
          The goal of this blog is hopefully to entertain as well as inform you by giving honest and detailed reviews about beauty products I encounter. I will say now, some my involve products sent to me by influenster. In fact my next few post will be about those products. Nonetheless, they will still be honest and hopefully informative for those of you out there.
          Now, in the off chance anyone is still reading this, or even read this at all, feel free to give me some suggestions about what to post on this blog. I know there must be 789749242 blogs that are about the same thing, so give me some feedback as you wait for my next post. What would you like to read in a blog?
-Cindy