Softsoap Nutri-Serum Review

I am a huge fan of Softsoap for my daily shower experiences. I was a little apprehensive when I tried this new version.

Here is what I thought: Smells great, bottle design is a little wobbly and awkward, gel is thick but not too thick. It is great for sensitive skin and does a great job moisturizing with it's moisture pearls.

Would I buy it again? Yes, but nothing can replace my current favorite Softsoap.

Herbal Essences Tousle Me Softly Review

Herbal Essences has this great new line out called, "Tousle Me Softly." It seems they know exactly what is new in the style scene. Messy hair and soft ringlets are so "in" right now. It is nice to have a few products to help obtain that look.

For a great tutorial, check out Nadine Jolie: http://jolienadine.com/blog/2009/08/18/how-to-curl-your-hair-into-ringlets/

I recently tried the line and here is what I thought:

Shampoo: The shampoo had a great scent and was nice and sudsy. It left my hair feeling soft so I was tempted not to use the conditioner. I know it's wrong but I like to keep things simple!

Conditioner: The conditioner was great! The scent was wonderful and similar to the shampoo. It left my hair feeling very soft and healthy. I am glad I didn't skip this step.

Hair Spray: The hair spray was a little sticky for my taste. I am very picky about hair spray. I usually prefer something a little lighter and this didn't fit the bill. I am now using it on my boys' hair to keep it stiff and in place for school.

Mousse: I love mousse! Maybe it's because I started using it in the 80s when I experimented with big hair and woke up at the crack of dawn to do my hair. I had a real relationship with my hair in the 80s and mousse was always there for the ups and downs. This mousse is the real deal! It smells great and works great too. Use a handful and rub it all throughout your hair when it is wet. Don't be scared of the mousse - it won't bite and you can almost never use too much. Do not use on dry hair for the tousled look!

Finishing Cream: The finishing cream was great. It was the most helpful product in getting my tousled look. The cream is sticky so a little goes a long way. Use the finishing cream as stated - at the end. Do not use it on wet hair or your hair will turn out too curly or wild to create the tousled or soft look. Use a dab and rub it throughout your hands. Then gently roll your ringlets to create a more textured or finished look. This finishing cream will help hold the curls throughout the day or for your special event.

Spray gel: I am not a huge fan of gel or spray gel. I like to leave gel for the boys or for those cute, pixie haircuts that I can't pull off. I used a little spray gel and it does smell great and I am sure it does help. However, I am using this for my sons and they love it. It smells good and gives them a polished look for school. I would highly recommend this spray gel for short hairstyles.

So, with the weekend ahead, get to Target or CVS and see what Herbal Essences products might work for you! Check out their website for products available: http://www.herbalessences.com/us/default.jsp

Nick Chavez Beverly Hills Review

I just tried three products from the Nick Chavez Beverly Hills hair collection. I have to say, I loved them!

First, I used the Plump 'N Thick Leave-In Thickening Creme Conditioner. I used a small dollop in my hand and rubbed in my wet hair. The smell was pleasant and a little goes a long way. The comb went through my hair so smoothly after using it.

I then used the Flocker. I just love the name, by the way! It is used to lift, texturize, and aid in styling. Shake the bottle and then spray some in your hands. It comes out like a really wet foam but believe me, it is powerful. Rub your hands together and work it in your hair. I may have gone overboard because I used about three squirts. My hair is thick and I wanted to make sure and get the desired results.

After I used a roller brush to style my hair, I used my straightening iron. To finish it off, I used a very small amount of the Plump 'N Thick to smooth my hair and then immediately sprayed on the Volumizing Extra Hold hairspray.

I was pleased with the results! My hair stayed full all night and I even got a few compliments...what more could a girl ask for?

Nick Chavez has a new fan! You can find all of the Nick Chavez products online at: http://www.nickchavezbeverlyhills.com/products.htm or you can purchase them at your local ULTA store. I will be trying some more products very soon!

Vavoom Iron-in Control Review

I used to looooove Vavoom in the 80s. My Aunt Marleen had some Vavoom in her bathroom and my cousin and I would sneak some when visiting her at the lake in Wisconsin. Vavoom has some good memories attached to it. So when my best friend, Carol gave me some Vavoom for my birthday I was touched.

And just to prove I used it this morning here is a dorky picture of me trying not to smile

I tried the Iron-in Control and loved it. It goes on easily, doesn't get greasy but has a smoothing factor, didn't dry my hair once ironed, and left my hair feeling smooth but not greasy. I have tried other heat styling products that left my hair feeling dry and crispy and this was not the case with Vavoom by Matrix. I am so happy to have found another heat styling product I love.

My other favorite is Kerastase which is double the price. I found this one on sale for $13.60 online but at a reputable salon in town it would probably run you $15.00.

For more reviews on this product click here:http://www.totalbeauty.com/reviews/product/6054921/vavoom-gold-heat-iron-in-control-protective-dry-mist

L'Oreal Extra Volume Collagen Lash Review

Review: L'Oreal Collagen Lash

I am a big fan of L'Oreal products, as you may know. I recently tried their new mascara L'oreal Extra Volume Collagen Lash. I was a little mixed on the results with this one.

The actual wand grabs too much mascara and you have to wipe off half of it to make sure you won't get clumps. As for the results, it took me a few days to get used to the wand and finally got these results:

My eyelashes were definitely fuller and very dark. I don't like to wear it too heavy during the daytime, so I will continue to use this in the evening. The mascara was easy to remove though, which was a plus.

Overall, I probably won't purchase this mascara again. I will stick with some of my other favorites and my old standby, L'oreal Voluminous.

If you do try this masacara, be prepared to practice at first to make sure you don't use too much. A little goes a long way!

Contest over at 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic

One of my favorite beauty blogs, 15 Minute Beauty Fanatic, is having a contest to win a bottle of DKNY's newly designed Be Delicious. Read about the new bottle and enter the contest here:

http://15minbeauty.blogspot.com/2009/08/dkny-delicous-fun-new-bottle-and.html

L'Oreal Revitalift 24 Hr Eye Repair Duo Review

L'Oreal Revitalift Deep-Set Wrinkle Repair Eye Cream

24 Hr Eye Repair Duo Review

Seriously, who is the genius that came up with this stuff? I just tried the NEW Revitalift Deep-Set Wrinkle Repair eye cream and I am already in love.

The eye cream has two ends, one for daytime with SPF and one for night-time. The container is small and easy to use and would work great for traveling.

Both creams worked great!

AM Cream: The day cream left my eyes feeling moist and supple while protecting them from the harsh sun. It contains broad spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 15 and also gently hydrates with fiber-restoring complex which helps repair broken skin fibers.

PM Cream: The night-time cream also contains fiber-restoring complex but also Pro-Retinol A to smooth the eye area. It left my eyes feeling tight. In other words, it worked instantly.

I am a huge fan of the L'Oreal Revitalift line and so happy they came out with another solution, especially for eyes!

Caress Evenly Gorgeous Review

I have always enjoyed Caress beauty bars. I feel like it's a little treat to buy them since they are a little pricey for a bar of "soap".

I recently tried the new line from Caress called "Evenly Gorgeous." The beauty bar and body wash contains burnt brown sugar and karite butter so it gently exfoliates and moisturizes you skin. Here's what I thought:

Caress Evenly Gorgeous Exfoliating Beauty Bar:

I like the beauty bar a lot. The scent is pleasant and the exfoliating actually worked. The negative aspects of the bar:

- when it settled in the factory, only one side ended up with exfoliating features and the other side only had a little

-you cannot use this bar to shave because it will ruin your razor and cause you to get cut

Caress Evenly Gorgeous Exfoliating Body Wash:

I liked the body wash more. It smells a little better than the beauty bar for some reason. It is like going to the spa! The body wash goes on smoothly and does not get goopy as others do. It left my skin smooth and feeling refreshed. The body wash is a winner in my book. Warning: check the scent before you purchase it to make sure it's your taste.

One negative: the exfoliating level wasn't as intense as other body washes I have used.