Product Review: L'Oreal True Match Naturale Mineral Makeup and Concealer

DO buy True Match Naturale Mineral Makeup and Concealer

Why? I will tell you why.

This makeup is truly amazing.

The week of my senior cello recital, I received the gift of two huge zits on my forehead.

I ran to Rite Aid and purchased this concealer and mineral foundation, praying for a miracle!

I've tried a lot of different concealers and foundations over the years, and none of them have ever actually covered up my skin problems...they highlighted them!

This concealer covers ANYTHING and EVERYTHING. Make sure you get a good match to your skin tone. I actually had a few of my friends ask me how I had gotten clear skin overnight!

It saved me from looking like a teenage cellist and made me look like an adult cellist. Considering I was 28 when I did the recital...thank goodness!!!

This makeup is so great, because it's also very light. It really feels like you're wearing nothing at all. Before trying this, I had never used a concealer that wasn't liquid. I can't believe how much I was missing out! 

Liquid + powder = not compatible. 

Mineral powder + mineral powder = VERY compatible. They blend right into each other. Amazing.

Wash your face. Moisturize. Use the concealer (which is a mineral concealer) where you need it. You won't need to use a lot. Buff the mineral foundation all over your face. Look in the mirror. Be amazed! 

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Product Review: Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes

DO buy Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes

Why? I will tell you why.

 

I liked the packaging of these, as I am a fan of anything green. That is initially why I picked these up in the first place. (I also like to buy anything that's new)

I made sure to have a full face of makeup before trying these...lotion, concealer, foundation, blush, eyeshadow in a ridiculously bright blue shade, eyeliner, mascara, and anything else you can think of.

PROS:

• The wipes are relatively moist, so I didn't feel like I was raking a paper towel across my face.
• Even after scrubbing them on my eyes, there was absolutely no irritation.
• They have a nice, clean scent.
• I only paid about 3 or 4 bucks for them. (they were on sale)
• These DID take off all of the makeup I had on, and with relatively little effort. I love these to take off my face before bedtime.

CONS:

•  The package they come in doesn't stay closed very well. This can lead to the wipes drying out. I had to transfer them into a Tupperware container.
•  There was a slight feeling of "something left behind" when my face dried. Not much, but just a little.
• These wipes do not have a textured side, which is a bummer. I always thought those little raised bumps cleaned a bit better. Yes, Simple also makes exfoliating wipes, but they are not marketed towards sensitive skin like these are.
• I wish they were bigger! Maybe I just have an extra large face.

All in all, I do like these a lot. The brand "Simple" is exactly what they are. Simple, effective, and no extra ingredients to worry about. They're not expensive and they do their job. I love things that are simple.

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Product Review: Bobelock Cello Case #2000

DO buy the Bobelock Cello Case #2002, as long as you can handle the smell!

(Yes, this is my actual cello case...before it got all scuffed from beating it into walls)

Why? I will tell you why.

I love this case. Everyone else loves this case. (mostly because it's yellow)
If you ever want to get people to notice you, walk around town with one of these babies.
I guarantee you will get at least 5 people who tell you what a cool case you have.
The most common comment? "That is QUITE a case you have there!"
My response? "Thanks..."


Anyway...
When I received the case in the mail, it came in a huge box.
I was super excited and tore right into it.


PROS:
The case looked great and had been well-packaged.
The latches close nicely and don't leave any gaps. (they also LOCK)
It's very light!
No wheels, nice!!! (I hate when my cello decides to roll away by itself)
It seems to protect my cello well for being a more lightweight case.
It's the perfect canvas for some vinyl graphics. (coming soon)
The interior is a nice blue velvet.
Two bow holders.
The carrying handle on the side of the case is very sturdy and will probably last a long time.


I switched out the Bobelock shoulder straps with the Bam case straps that have the hardcore mountain climbing caribiners on them.
Ever since I saw a friend's case hit the floor because the stupid latch on his strap didn't lock like this one does, I will never use another shoulder strap again unless it's the one below.
http://www.lindawest.com/Bam_cello_case_shoulder_straps_p/bamstraps.htm

CONS:
But wait...what the heck is that smell?!?!?!

This case is a real stinker.
Yes, I know that plastic or fiberglass or glue or whatever else this case might be made of has an odor to it, especially when new...but c'mon. It reeked.

I thought maybe it just needed time to air out.
I left the case open for days on end.
I Febreezed it.
I tried moth balls.
I used some kind of sachet that smelled like lavender.
I bought one of those cans of scent that is supposed to suck the smell out of a smoky car.

Nothing worked...

It even made my cello smell weird.
It became embarrassing to go to orchestra rehearsal.
I swore that everyone could smell my funky case and now my cello too.

Also, there is no real music pocket in the case. *shrug* I'm so used to always carrying my music in a separate bag, it's not really a big deal.



I never did find a solution to that smell. It faded over time. I've had this case for about 3 years, and I can still smell it faintly. I guess that's part of its charm :)


I love this case!



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Product Review: Stridex Single-Step Acne Control Pads-2% Salicylic Acid

DON'T buy Stridex Single-Step Acne Control Pads-2% Salicylic Acid

Why? I will tell you why.

Unless you are Jermaine Jackson or the late, great Whitney Houston, these pads just have WAY too much salicylic acid in them for any normal person's face. The moment one of these touched my face, the skin became so tight and dry that I thought I had accidentally put on one of those peel-away cucumber-scented masks. I wanted to rip my own face off. That's probably not a good thing.

It says, "Do not leave pad on the skin for an extended period of time" on the back of the box. That scares me a little. It also ruined my plan to sleep with it directly on one of my zits. Knowing my luck, I would wake-up in the morning with a giant hole in my face.

Some questions you might have:

1. "Jess, do some people have VERY oily skin?"

 Yes, but this is STILL too much acid for you.

2. "Jess, what about my disgusting, cavernous zits? Won't this help?"

I am pretty sure that this will do the same thing to your zits as it did to mine...make them so dry that it flakes your skin off...which causes you to put on more moisturizer...which makes your face feel greasy again...it's a vicious cycle! These pads will suck the life right out of your face.

3. "Jess, is there another version of this product with less salicylic acid in it?"

Yes!!!

DO buy Stridex Single-Step Acne Control Pads- 1% or .5% Salicylic Acid

It's a proven fact that salicylic acid is the best treatment for blackheads, as it really gets into your pores and cleans them out. One thing you may not know though, is that if you are using a product that also contains alcohol, it is also irritating your pores. These Stridex pads are excellent and also alcohol-free.

*The blue box on the right is the same product, but with 1% salicylic acid in it. This would be the best bet for someone with very oily skin and lots of breakouts and blackheads.

*The green box on the right contains only .5% salicylic acid, and as it says on the box, is good for people with sensitive skin. I like this one the best, because I feel like it has just the right amount of acid for people with moderately dry or oily skin and occasional breakouts and blackheads. (Like ME!!!)

*Do it in this order: Wash your face. Pat your face dry. Use a Stridex pad all over your face. Wait until dry. Moisturize!! (even if your face is usually oily, you HAVE to moisturize. It actually prevents the face from over-producing more oil!)

As a person who is constantly buying new products, as well as researching them online, I have always found honest product reviews to be very helpful.

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Product Review: Herbal Essences Long-Term Relationship Shampoo/Conditioner

DON'T buy Herbal Essences Long-Term Relationship Shampoo or Conditioner.

Why? I will tell you why.

Seriously...it smells so good! I'd probably eat it if I didn't think I would start burping up soap bubbles. It's also pink, which makes any girl go (Lady) gaga for it. I bought both the shampoo and conditioner home with the hopes that it would turn my long, straight, black hair into the hair I see in all of their commercials. (or was that Garnier-something???) As a side note, my hair is fine to begin with. I just really like to try products I haven't tried before, in the hopes that one of them will make me look like Giselle Bundchen...so I can attract a man like Clive Owen. (*drool*)

Anyhow, I shampooed, conditioned...and ended-up like I always do...with wet hair that can't tell you a THING about how the product works :)

UNTIL....

...my hair dried. I WISH I had taken a picture of what I looked like, because it was horrendous. The bottom of my hair was all frizzy and dry looking, but the worst was what it did to my roots. I probably could have greased-up a Slip N' Slide with the amount of slimy, greasy residue that conditioner left on my roots. Mind you, I always rinse and rinse and rinse just to make sure there isn't any product left in my hair. UGH!!!!!

Needless to say, I had to go to work like that...and it wasn't pretty. I really should leave a hat there just in case. I threw that stuff away as soon as I got home. 

Moral of the story?

 Buy TRESemmé Anti-Breakage Shampoo and Conditioner.
 (or anything by TRESemmé really) It smells amazing. It makes your hair look and feel amazing. It doesn't leave any gunk in your hair. It's salon quality. It's French, so you KNOW it's good :)

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