Rimmel London Extra WOW Lash

The Extra Wow Lash is part of Rimmel London's mascara line.  I have to admit, I bought this one because it was about $1.50 cheaper than any other Rimmel mascaras they carry at my CVS.  Having not tried any Rimmel London mascara before, I wanted to test out one of their most basic mascaras before diving into their more specific mascara types.

 As you can see, the brush is a pretty standard mascara brush.  It tapers towards the ends, which is great for getting those small lashes in the corner.  However, you can probably also see the excess product at the end of the wand.  I find this makes it harder to apply to the corner lashes.

I'm not overly impressed, but I'm not dissatisfied by any means.  To me, this mascara seems like an average drugstore mascara.  It does have a tendency to clump, but the formulation seems to have the right balance - it's not too dry or too wet.  It also dries quickly, which is a plus for me!  I have long eyelashes naturally, which sometimes can give me little black dots above my crease if my mascara doesn't dry quick enough.

If you're in a pinch for mascara, and don't want to break the bank, Extra WOW Lash will absolutely do the trick.  However, if you're looking for refined, individual lashes, you'll want to check back for my next post!

Benefit's CORALista Blush

Today I'm raving about Benefit's CORALista blush.  Benefit definitely hit a home run with their Bella Bamba blush, but this color is a more subtle, golden coral version.  One thing I particularly like is how the product layers nicely.  For a subtle effect, I tap my brush twice in the powder and run it across my cheeks.  However, for a more dramatic effect, I can go back two or three times for more product, and really get a nice coral glow to my cheeks - perfect for summer.

Now that it's winter, I find I go for a more subtle look on my cheeks.  Walking to class, the wind and the cold already makes my cheeks red enough, so I don't need to add to that effect!

One more thing - the packaging is to die for!  Look how cute that is.  The box features a rainforest/jungle theme, with a pink leopard print inside.  The box is very sturdy and holds up great, even during travel.  I flew with this product recently, and as you can see, it still looks brand new.

Coral colors are great for olive skin tones, but are versatile on nearly everyone.  Make sure to try this product with your own blush brush.  While Benefit's products are fantastic, the brush will leave you with a nice stripe of blush on your cheek.

This product will last you a long, long time.  I bought my Bella Bamba back in February, and used it every day until I bought CORALista.  I still have a TON of product left!  So for the price ($28), you get a lot of bang for your buck.

Smith's Minted Rose Lip Balm

Rose a la Menthe!  This lip balm comes from Sephora at $7.  However, I must say, this is well worth the extra cash if you're used to drug store lip balms.  The texture is very smooth and glossy, and applies evenly with just a little bit.  I've had this for about a month now, and as you can see, I still have a lot left.  I usually apply this several times a day, but it's my favorite night time lip balm since it heals any chapping overnight.

The scent is very subtle, but really really nice.  True to its name, it's mostly rose petal-scented with a hint of mint.  I like that it's not overwhelming, and I think the scent would be appealing for all lip-balm-lovers out there.  After wearing this for about an hour or so, I find that it absorbs into my lips, so it doesn't stay glossy all day.

Cons?  You probably couldn't wear a lipstick over this, since it applies pretty thick.  However, it does have a bit of tint on its own, so it's not all bad!

My recommendation: Go for it! It's one of the best miracle cures I've found for my lips this winter!

Too Faced Natural Eye Palette

The Too Faced Natural Eye Palette is nothing new to hit the market.  However, it's the first time I've tried it, and I'm in love.  The colors are beautiful - 6 shimmer colors from light champagne to dark chocolate brown, and three matte colors.  The great thing about this palette is that it's super easy to go from day to night.  The matte colors are perfect for a subdued workplace (or go shimmer if it's appropriate!).  At night, pop some Cocoa Puff or Sexspresso on the outer eyelid, and hit the town.  The only color I'm not super fond of is Velvet Revolver, the top middle brown, as it doesn't show up well on my skin.

The shadows themselves are very soft and silky feeling.  They apply easily to the lid, even with a finger, and blend well too.  At $36 from Sephora, I think it's a great, versatile palette that fits any skin tone out there.  While it's a bit pricey, a little bit goes a long way, and you won't be disappointed by the quality.

True Blue Spa: Citrus Exfoliating Face Scrub

 

What I'm Loving: True Blue Spa Citrus Exfoliating Face Scrub.  This scrub has a refreshing, citrus scent that reminds me of grapefruit and oranges.  It also has small, white exfoliating beads along with slightly larger, orange exfoliating beads.  It doesn't feel too rough on the skin - I have sensitive skin, and neither the scent nor the texture irritated it.  

I bought the full size bottle after trying the mini 1oz bottle for a few showers.  I have to admit, this has really helped my complexion after using it for a week.  There are no active ingredients to help acne, but works by removing dead skin from the surface of your face.  I've noticed that my acne scarring seems lighter and the rest of my face seems brighter and fresher looking.

I recommend picking up the mini version if you are unsure of this product at first.  At $12 for 4oz, it's fairly cheap, but you can't go wrong testing it out first.  I think this product has turned me into a True Blue Spa fan!

You can pickup this scrub and other True Blue Spa products at Bath & Body Works.