I know I can never go wrong with L'oreal's Voluminous Original mascara and so I'm always excited to try their new launches. The Bare Natural Mascara reminds me of the Voluminous Naturale (which I reviewed a few months ago) except that it leaves my lashes softer, even after multiple applications. The formulation is different, in that it doesn't contain parabens and it's fiber free. It also contains jojoba oil, vitamin E and aloe; and it still gives me "natural" volume, length and definition. The features I just mentioned, combined with the price, make it worth a try!
Mischo Beauty Product Review: L'Oreal Bare Naturale Mascara
Posted by Mischo Beauty , Tuesday, August 19, 2008 at 7:26 AM
Labels: L'Oreal, mascara, Mischo Beauty Product Reveiw
Mischo Beauty Review: Artemis Woman Personal Groomer
I'm recommending this Artemis Woman Personal Groomer to my clients who dread waxing and make it much more of an ordeal than it should be (though waxing isn't for everyone), and also to those who prefer to do their own touch-ups at home in-between waxing appointments. For some it takes time for hair to begin growing on the same growth cycle and I don't recommend shaving in-between waxing appointments. After testing this out, I found that it was easy to use and gentle enough to be used on the eyebrows, face, arms and bikini line.
Any questions?
Posted by Mischo Beauty , Wednesday, June 25, 2008 at 9:16 PM
Labels: Artemis Woman Personal Groomer, Mischo Beauty Product Reveiw
Mischo Beauty Product Review: Lavilin Natural Deodorant Cream
A few months ago I wrote about my wanting to give natural deodorants a try. I did find a good one, but I've found an even better one! It's Lavilin and it's a deodorant cream formulated with arnica and calendula which work to eliminate the bacteria that causes odor. It's free of aluminum, alcohol, parabens and phthalates. The claim is that it will keep you odor free for up to 7 days, and for me it worked for 3 full days. I liked that fact that the application of the deodorant only required a very small amount and I didn't need to reapply until after the 3rd day. It's water resistant, hypo-allergenic and fragrance free and I highly recommend it!
Have you tried it?
Posted by Mischo Beauty , at 11:26 AM
Labels: Lavilin Natural Deodorant Cream, Mischo Beauty Product Reveiw, product review
Mischo Beauty Product Review: SOMME INSTITUTE Skincare with MDT5 Technology
I was given the opportunity to try the Somme Institute Skincare line a month ago, but because I'd just switched my skincare from Dermalogica to REN (and I'm really loving REN), I decided to send it to my reader "Curly Gurl" to try. She quite often leaves questions for me with regards to skincare issues she's having and desperately wants to start a skincare regimen that works for her. So I sent her the Nourishing Cleanser, Transport (exfoliant), Serum, A-Bomb (face cream), Double Defense Day Moisture SPF30 and the Eye Cream.
Ok, so the scientist in me was excited to learn that these products are formulated with a Molecular Dispersion Technology 5 (MDT5) which is a molecular antioxidant compound of 5 highly engineered vitamins (A, C, E, D, B3 and B5) that penetrate deep within the skin, at high concentrations, to repair and rejuvenate skin cells. They're formulated to treat all skin types and conditions such as sun damage, fine lines & wrinkles, acne and discoloration, as well as improve tone and texture. Woooooow! So here's what "Curly Gurl" had to say after using the products for 3 weeks:
Nourishing Cleanser: "It's a non-soap cleansing lotion that gently cleans skin without irritating it. I like it even though it is not a necessary part of the regimen. I would elect to use it anyway since it cleaned the skin before I swiped with the Transport pad, which meant the pad wasn't as filled with dirt as it could have been and I only had to use one for the face, neck and upper chest."
Transport: "It exfoliates with alpha acids; can sting a bit (my skin is sensitive, but I did not do as they advised and squeeze out the pad for sensitive skin). I liked it, which is good since it is one of the three core/integral products in the regimen. My skin felt as if it had been to a Moroccan bath house - a little stingy but hella clean!"
Serum: "Another of the three core elements of the regimen. I don't know if I can judge it as a stand-alone product, but the results have been amazing so if it is an integral part of getting to the results I've seen after only 16 days, then bring it on! I would say be careful with it around the eyes (which Somme Institute also says)."
A-Bomb: "A luscious moisturizing cream. I love it! My skin is actually soft like a baby's bottom! I think there is some sort of collagen in this product- it is so effective. I used all items, except the Double Defense, morning and night. I have sensitive skin and this gave me no problems at all. I am very happy with the increased suppleness of my skin and it's healthy, fresh look (dare I say, dewy even???!!!)."
New Eye Cream: "I am ambivalent about the eye cream. I don't think I've used it long enough to see marked results. Even the manufacturer says it is an optional item as you can use the A-Bomb carefully around the eyes. But I have noticed some crinkles at the outer corners of my eyes and sagginess underneath (though not extreme) so I will continue to use the eye cream for a month or two to see what comes of it."
Double Defense SPF30: "I liked this as well. This only goes on in the morning and I felt so accomplished protecting my skin and healing it at the same time. This moisturizer is very lightweight to contain a sunscreen, thus it spread very easily and absored quickly into my skin. I was very happy about that!"
"Overall, after only 2 days I felt I looked rested in a way I normally do not because of my hectic schedule and various responsibilities. My skin feels more supple and looks firmer and healthier. My adult acne issues are being resolved!! I have been struggling over the past 3-4 months with adult acne and was given a spot gel by the dermatologist, which stings like crazy and just isn't very effective. This regimen feels very easy on my skin and is actually doing what it claims to do. My acne began drying up and fading at day 2, my skin has a healthy glow (my mother thought I'd gotten a tan!) that in turn makes me feel more energetic (looking tired brings you down!). This is a pricey system, but only three items (Transport, Serum and A-Bomb) are core products. I believe it is totally worth the investment to nurture and heal your body's largest organ. Healthy skin makes for healthy people!"
Thank you "Curly Gurl"! Has anyone tried this line? Any thoughts?
(photo courtesy of sommeinstitute.com)
Posted by Mischo Beauty , Thursday, May 15, 2008 at 8:52 AM
Labels: Mischo Beauty Product Reveiw, SOMME INSTITUTE Skincare with MDT5 Technology
Mischo Beauty Product Review: L'Oreal Voluminous Naturale
I must admit that I love a well made commercial and after seeing Eva Longoria in L'Oreal's Voluminous Naturale mascara commercial and hearing how much my reader Andrea loves this new mascara, I decided to pick it up and try it. I've been wearing it now for about two weeks and I will say that I like it. It's great for the "look" I wear to work. It gives me "natural" volume, length and definition which results in nicely defined and separated lashes which is all I need during the day. And, I love that it does not clump! As soon as I apply it, it immediately sets and I have no clumping, smearing or flaking. I find that when I want a little more, for let's say a happy hour after work, I layer it with the Voluminous Original mascara and my lashes are perfect!
Is anyone else using it? Any thoughts?
(photo courtesy of lorealparisusa.com)
Posted by Mischo Beauty , Tuesday, April 29, 2008 at 8:02 AM
Labels: loreal voluminous naturale mascara, Mischo Beauty Product Reveiw, product review
Mischo Beauty Product Review: Illusions Cosmetics
Celebrity makeup artists and twin sisters Janice and Denise Tunnell launched Illusions Cosmetics to address the needs of women of color. The collection includes foundations, powders, blush, eye shadows, eye and lip liners, lipsticks, makeup brushes and men's grooming products. They are best known for their lip glosses and recently launched a new collection of lip glosses named after film classics: "Carmen" (Dorothy Dandridge), "Dream Girls" (Beyonce), "Mahogany" (Diana Ross), "Sparkle" (Irene Cara) and "Brown Sugar" (Sanaa Lathan). Janice so graciously sent me the "Honey" Lustre Lip Gloss, "Torch" Lustre Lipstix and the "Sublime" Eye Dust. I was pleasantly surprised to find that after trying them all on, all matched the color descriptions. I was even more surprised to discover that the "Honey" Lustre Lip Gloss was a perfect match to my MAC "Instant Gold" Lustreglass, lots of shine with a sexy, pearlized sparkle! The "Torch" Lustre Lipstix has the exact same soft, creamy texture of my MAC Slimshines, including the high shine. I'm pleased with the products and even more pleased with the price points! For more information, please visit: www.illusionsbeauty.com
Has anyone tried this brand? Any thoughts?
(logo courtesy of illusionsbeauty.com)
Posted by Mischo Beauty , Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 3:19 PM
Labels: illusions cosmetics, Mischo Beauty Product Reveiw, product review
Mischo Beauty Review: Erth Mineral Makeup
I'm not a user of mineral makeup so when I was presented with an opportunity to try Erth Mineral Makeup I could hardly wait! I've said this before and I'll say it again, clean and healthy skin is the foundation for beautiful makeup! If your preference for a facial exfoliant is a physical exfoliant, then you'll love the Organic Berry Scrub. It's a combination of fruit pulp and glycolic and alpha lipoic acids that gently work to effectively exfoliate dead skin cells. It left my skin so soft and smooth. The paraben-free Balancing Moisturizer has a rich and creamy texture and not only did it quickly absorb into my skin, but it doubled as a nice primer for the Mineral Foundation. I love the fact that the Mineral Foundations are not only easily buildable, depending on your preferences for coverage, but they also contain an SPF 15. The more protection from the sun, the better! My Mineral Blusher of choice is Petal, which looks very soft and natural on my skin. Glow was my favorite Mineral Bronzer because it was the perfect sun-kissed accent my skin needed during these rainy days of April. Finally, I must admit that I was pleasantly surprised at how pigmented the Intensity Eyeshadows are on my skin. The colors are gorgeous and definitely work with every complexion. I think everyone will discover their own personal favorites in this line and be just as pleasantly surprised as I was!
Has anyone tried Erth skincare or makeup? If so, what are your thoughts?
(logo courtesy of lushbrush.com)
Posted by Mischo Beauty , Wednesday, April 9, 2008 at 11:56 PM
Labels: erth mineral makeup, Mischo Beauty Product Reveiw, product review
Mischo Beauty Product Review: Dior DiorShow Mascara
After picking it up from Sephora and using it for a few weeks I was completely convinced! Though the tube itself is somewhat long, I do love the sleek package design. My favorite part about the mascara is the brush. The bristles are thick, full and lush. The application is very smooth, catching every lash, and believe it or not- one coat is enough. But for going out, I usually apply three coats on each side for extra length, volume and that "faux" lash look.
I will tell you that this is on the higher end of mascaras, it is a little more expensive, but I feel it's worth it if you have the budget for it!
What's your favorite mascara? Read More......
Posted by Mischo Beauty , Wednesday, April 2, 2008 at 8:23 AM
Labels: dior, diorshow mascara, Mischo Beauty Product Reveiw, product review, Sephora
Mischo Beauty Product Review: Kiehl's Ultimate Strength Hand Salve
I must say that this is one of the best moisturizing creams I've found for my hands! I should actually call it a treatment because it's just that. It's for "severe dryness caused by heavy industrial work, manual labor, neglect, or exposure to harsh elements" and I guess my hands qualify for this treatment after working on hair and skin clients, day in and out. You see haircolor services, which involve shampooing, toning and conditioning, seemed to have taken a toll on my hands over time. Not to mention that sanitation and disinfection are of the utmost importance. So, I'm constantly washing my hands all day long- too many times to count! And we all know that signs of aging show up first on the forehead, around the eyes and mouth, on the neck, and the hands! This treatment replenishes lost moisture, while protecting the skin for hours by providing a long-lasting barrier. It has a soothing effect and softens skin. I highly recommend it. It will not disappoint!
(photo courtesy of kiehls.com)
Posted by Mischo Beauty , Wednesday, March 19, 2008 at 8:54 AM
Labels: dry skin, kiehls, Mischo Beauty Product Reveiw, product review, Ultimate Strength Hand Salve




