Don't Be Tempted

At a company holiday party last week, the conversation turned to beauty products – as it usually does when I’m around. Two coworkers told me the same harrowing story – okay, maybe I’m being a bit melodramatic, but it wasn’t a good story.

Both women recently paid a visit to their local Bath & Body Works and were tempted into purchasing items from the Holiday Temptations line (not a surprise, given the yummy packaging). After taking the products home and using them, they were taken aback by the stains left on their tubs and towels.

We never got around to discussing how well the products work, but let’s be real – a shower gel had better get me squeaky clean (and wash away my cellulite) if it's going to stain my shower.

Don't Be Tempted

At a company holiday party last week, the conversation turned to beauty products – as it usually does when I’m around. Two coworkers told me the same harrowing story – okay, maybe I’m being a bit melodramatic, but it wasn’t a good story.

Both women recently paid a visit to their local Bath & Body Works and were tempted into purchasing items from the Holiday Temptations line (not a surprise, given the yummy packaging). After taking the products home and using them, they were taken aback by the stains left on their tubs and towels.

We never got around to discussing how well the products work, but let’s be real – a shower gel had better get me squeaky clean (and wash away my cellulite) if it's going to stain my shower.

Buyer Beware

After reading that FragranceX.com sells discount skin care, body products, and cosmetics – in addition to fragrances – at up to 80% off, I couldn’t wait to log on and fill up my online shopping cart. So imagine my surprise when I found that not only are the discount claims highly exaggerated, but in many cases, their prices are higher than the retail value. Case in point:

Product: Clinique Perfectly Real Makeup
Retail Price: $22.50
Fragrance X Price: $30 (and they have the nerve to say that you’re saving 17%)


Product: MAC Clear Lip Glass
Retail Price: $13.50
Fragrance X Price: $17 (they say you’re saving 26%)

Product: Frederic Fekkai Apple Cider Clarifying Shampoo
Retail Price: $19.50
Fragrance X Price: $22.50 (they claim this is a savings of 18%)


Product: Philosophy Strawberry Milkshake Ultra-Rich Shampoo, Bath, & Shower Gel
Retail Price: $16
Fragrance X Price: $22.50 (you’re supposedly saving 21%)

Don’t get me wrong – there are many products on FragranceX.com that will actually save you a couple of dollars. But can you really trust an online merchant that would so blatantly jack up prices, making you believe that you’re getting a deal?

The bottom line is that if you choose to purchase from FragranceX.com, or similar discount websites, take precautions. All it takes is a few extra minutes to check prices and make sure that it’s you, and not them, who is making out like a bandit.

Buyer Beware

After reading that FragranceX.com sells discount skin care, body products, and cosmetics – in addition to fragrances – at up to 80% off, I couldn’t wait to log on and fill up my online shopping cart. So imagine my surprise when I found that not only are the discount claims highly exaggerated, but in many cases, their prices are higher than the retail value. Case in point:

Product: Clinique Perfectly Real Makeup
Retail Price: $22.50
Fragrance X Price: $30 (and they have the nerve to say that you’re saving 17%)


Product: MAC Clear Lip Glass
Retail Price: $13.50
Fragrance X Price: $17 (they say you’re saving 26%)

Product: Frederic Fekkai Apple Cider Clarifying Shampoo
Retail Price: $19.50
Fragrance X Price: $22.50 (they claim this is a savings of 18%)


Product: Philosophy Strawberry Milkshake Ultra-Rich Shampoo, Bath, & Shower Gel
Retail Price: $16
Fragrance X Price: $22.50 (you’re supposedly saving 21%)

Don’t get me wrong – there are many products on FragranceX.com that will actually save you a couple of dollars. But can you really trust an online merchant that would so blatantly jack up prices, making you believe that you’re getting a deal?

The bottom line is that if you choose to purchase from FragranceX.com, or similar discount websites, take precautions. All it takes is a few extra minutes to check prices and make sure that it’s you, and not them, who is making out like a bandit.

All Soft, No Substance

I really wanted to love All Soft Heavy Cream, a “super treatment” that Redken promises will “provide dry hair with intense softness, replenishment and strength. Hair is wrapped in softness with increased manageability, movement and luminous shine.” I tried it last night and I must say – not only was I not impressed, I was extremely disappointed. After using it, my hair wasn’t any softer than usual. In fact, I think it was less soft than I’m accustomed to. All of my favorite magazines and blogs raved about this product, and I just don’t understand the enthusiasm for such a mediocre conditoner.

Perhaps it’s because I have been spoiled (pretty) by my tried-and-true conditioner, Elasta QP’s DPR 11. So it doesn’t have a catchy name and you may not have heard of the brand before, but this product is the ONLY conditioner you'll need…I don’t know why I ever doubted my DPR 11.

Elasta QP is a line of hair product made for and marketed to African-American women - but really, the products work for all women - regardless of race, ethnicity, or hair texture. Case in point - in college, a friend of mine decided she was bored with her long, thick Persian hair. I can’t remember exactly what she did to it, but I do recall that it was damaged within an inch of its life. Girlfriend’s hair felt, and looked, like straw. She couldn’t get a brush through it, and it became matted and terribly tangled. I gave her some DPR to try and I swear, she cried. Her hair was miraculously restored to its natural state, but even more manageable than before.

It’s been ten years since then, and I’m still using this product. I slather it on after I shampoo and let it penetrate for 5-10 minutes while I’m showering and shaving. As soon as I rinse it out, I immediately notice how silky my hair is. And, every time I use the DPR 11, my husband can’t stop smelling me…the product contains peach blossom oil, which leaves your strands unbelievably soft and subtly fragranced.

Whether your hair is chemically processed or natural, curly or straight, thick or baby fine - this is as good as it gets, ladies! Trust me, I've tried them all. After you use this, you'll finally know your hair's true potential. This is the holy grail of holy grails – remember, you heard it here first.

And at under $7 a pop, you can't beat it. I also highly recommend the rest of the Elasta QP products - Creme Conditioning Shampoo is another of my faves. Click here to find a retailer near you.

All Soft, No Substance

I really wanted to love All Soft Heavy Cream, a “super treatment” that Redken promises will “provide dry hair with intense softness, replenishment and strength. Hair is wrapped in softness with increased manageability, movement and luminous shine.” I tried it last night and I must say – not only was I not impressed, I was extremely disappointed. After using it, my hair wasn’t any softer than usual. In fact, I think it was less soft than I’m accustomed to. All of my favorite magazines and blogs raved about this product, and I just don’t understand the enthusiasm for such a mediocre conditoner.

Perhaps it’s because I have been spoiled (pretty) by my tried-and-true conditioner, Elasta QP’s DPR 11. So it doesn’t have a catchy name and you may not have heard of the brand before, but this product is the ONLY conditioner you'll need…I don’t know why I ever doubted my DPR 11.

Elasta QP is a line of hair product made for and marketed to African-American women - but really, the products work for all women - regardless of race, ethnicity, or hair texture. Case in point - in college, a friend of mine decided she was bored with her long, thick Persian hair. I can’t remember exactly what she did to it, but I do recall that it was damaged within an inch of its life. Girlfriend’s hair felt, and looked, like straw. She couldn’t get a brush through it, and it became matted and terribly tangled. I gave her some DPR to try and I swear, she cried. Her hair was miraculously restored to its natural state, but even more manageable than before.

It’s been ten years since then, and I’m still using this product. I slather it on after I shampoo and let it penetrate for 5-10 minutes while I’m showering and shaving. As soon as I rinse it out, I immediately notice how silky my hair is. And, every time I use the DPR 11, my husband can’t stop smelling me…the product contains peach blossom oil, which leaves your strands unbelievably soft and subtly fragranced.

Whether your hair is chemically processed or natural, curly or straight, thick or baby fine - this is as good as it gets, ladies! Trust me, I've tried them all. After you use this, you'll finally know your hair's true potential. This is the holy grail of holy grails – remember, you heard it here first.

And at under $7 a pop, you can't beat it. I also highly recommend the rest of the Elasta QP products - Creme Conditioning Shampoo is another of my faves. Click here to find a retailer near you.

Laying It On Thick

A few weeks ago, I was in C.O. Bigelow - zipping through the aisles like a Whirling Dervish. A helpful salesgirl, seeing I was overwhelmed by the plethora of products, approached me and asked if I needed help finding anything in particular. Usually I coyly answer, "Just looking" - hoping that the salesperson backs up and leaves me to my own devices (eg- testing 20+ shades of lipgloss on the back of my hand).

But this time, I actually needed some assistance. I explained that I turn into an oil slick during the summer and I'm sick of looking shiny all of the time. So she patiently guided me around the store, suggesting cleansers, toners, and other oil-obsorbing products. I purchased a few, and when she rang me up, she threw a good amount of samples in my bag as well. Now that's what I call customer service (shout out to my local C.O. Bigelow store in the King of Prussia Mall)!

When I returned home, I ripped open my bag to see what beauty booty this girl had bestowed upon me. I was excited to see that she had included DDF's Daily Matte SPF 15, which I had heard such wonderful things about. Sephora describes the product as, "Ideal daily care for oil and combination skin, this lightweight, shine reducing fluid is oil-free and boasts a powerful SPF 15." Well, when Sephora says it's powerful - they ain't just whistlin' dixie.

I applied the Daily Matte immediately after washing my face, and I had planned to follow with a lightweight foundation. As I started smoothing the product onto my face, I couldn't help but be a bit turned off my how thick it felt. I then became more annoyed that it kind of sat on top of my skin, rather than melting into it - the way I thought it would. In fact, to be perfectly honest, it was like slathering sunblock onto my face. Now I realize that the product contains sunscreen, but so do plenty of other facial mositurizers and treatments...and they don't leave me with a Coppertone complexion.

My skin hated this product so much that I couldn't bear it on my face for more than 5 minutes. I had to wash it off and start all over. Don't you just hate when that happens?

Hence, I'm going to have to give Daily Matte SPF 15 two (manicured and Essie-polished) thumbs down. But don't think I'm hating on DDF products...I absolutely love their Sulfur Therapeutic Mask, which helps to clear blemishes, clogged pores, acne, and seborrhea.

Laying It On Thick

A few weeks ago, I was in C.O. Bigelow - zipping through the aisles like a Whirling Dervish. A helpful salesgirl, seeing I was overwhelmed by the plethora of products, approached me and asked if I needed help finding anything in particular. Usually I coyly answer, "Just looking" - hoping that the salesperson backs up and leaves me to my own devices (eg- testing 20+ shades of lipgloss on the back of my hand).

But this time, I actually needed some assistance. I explained that I turn into an oil slick during the summer and I'm sick of looking shiny all of the time. So she patiently guided me around the store, suggesting cleansers, toners, and other oil-obsorbing products. I purchased a few, and when she rang me up, she threw a good amount of samples in my bag as well. Now that's what I call customer service (shout out to my local C.O. Bigelow store in the King of Prussia Mall)!

When I returned home, I ripped open my bag to see what beauty booty this girl had bestowed upon me. I was excited to see that she had included DDF's Daily Matte SPF 15, which I had heard such wonderful things about. Sephora describes the product as, "Ideal daily care for oil and combination skin, this lightweight, shine reducing fluid is oil-free and boasts a powerful SPF 15." Well, when Sephora says it's powerful - they ain't just whistlin' dixie.

I applied the Daily Matte immediately after washing my face, and I had planned to follow with a lightweight foundation. As I started smoothing the product onto my face, I couldn't help but be a bit turned off my how thick it felt. I then became more annoyed that it kind of sat on top of my skin, rather than melting into it - the way I thought it would. In fact, to be perfectly honest, it was like slathering sunblock onto my face. Now I realize that the product contains sunscreen, but so do plenty of other facial mositurizers and treatments...and they don't leave me with a Coppertone complexion.

My skin hated this product so much that I couldn't bear it on my face for more than 5 minutes. I had to wash it off and start all over. Don't you just hate when that happens?

Hence, I'm going to have to give Daily Matte SPF 15 two (manicured and Essie-polished) thumbs down. But don't think I'm hating on DDF products...I absolutely love their Sulfur Therapeutic Mask, which helps to clear blemishes, clogged pores, acne, and seborrhea.

Don't Believe The Hype

Yesterday, I had a birthday party to attend, but not a thing to wear (on my lashes). Normally, I would have zipped on over to Sephora or a department store for one of my favorites – Dior Diorshow and Lancome Hypnose – but I was pressed for time. So instead, I went to the local drugstore and purchased a tube of Maybelline’s Define-A-Lash, hoping that it would suffice.

Maybelline promises that Define-A-Lash is a “zero clump mascara” that “creates stunning length with clean definition”. I disagree with Maybelline’s claims, as the mascara did not deliver length that I would describe as “stunning” and my lashes were far from clump-free. The product did impart good color, but isn’t that something you expect from mascara (with the exception of clear ones)?

I should have purchased Maybelline’s Great Lash, but I’ve seen so many commercials and advertisements proclaiming the virtues of the new rubber brushes. So I decided to give Define-A-Lash a try. In my experience, the brush was flimsy and cumbersome – and I doubt that I would ever purchase another mascara that uses a rubber brush.

Bottom line: don’t buy into Maybelline’s promises or be seduced by Define-A-Lash’s lime green packaging. With so many superior mascaras on the market, there is no justification for wasting $8 on this product.

Don't Believe The Hype

Yesterday, I had a birthday party to attend, but not a thing to wear (on my lashes). Normally, I would have zipped on over to Sephora or a department store for one of my favorites – Dior Diorshow and Lancome Hypnose – but I was pressed for time. So instead, I went to the local drugstore and purchased a tube of Maybelline’s Define-A-Lash, hoping that it would suffice.

Maybelline promises that Define-A-Lash is a “zero clump mascara” that “creates stunning length with clean definition”. I disagree with Maybelline’s claims, as the mascara did not deliver length that I would describe as “stunning” and my lashes were far from clump-free. The product did impart good color, but isn’t that something you expect from mascara (with the exception of clear ones)?

I should have purchased Maybelline’s Great Lash, but I’ve seen so many commercials and advertisements proclaiming the virtues of the new rubber brushes. So I decided to give Define-A-Lash a try. In my experience, the brush was flimsy and cumbersome – and I doubt that I would ever purchase another mascara that uses a rubber brush.

Bottom line: don’t buy into Maybelline’s promises or be seduced by Define-A-Lash’s lime green packaging. With so many superior mascaras on the market, there is no justification for wasting $8 on this product.