Beauty Test Dummies

Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black

2015-03-12T08:00:00.000-04:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2 stars

COST: $22 for a rollerball

THE SKINNY: I have to giggle when I read Sephora's description of Elizabeth and James' Nirvana Black, brought to you by Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen.

"Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black is an addictive blend of alluring violet, sensual sandalwood, and rich vanilla that strike the perfect balance between masculine and feminine," according to the Sephora website.

To me, it's none of those things. Instead, it reminds me of the heavy incense used in Catholic churches during the high holidays.

That's really not a scent I want to wear -- heavy and sweet.

On a good note, the scent lingered for a whole workday.

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss. This one isn't for me.

CHECK IT OUT: See all the bottle sizes available at the Sephora site.

-- Tested by Shay

First Aid Beauty 5 in 1 Eye Cream

2015-03-11T08:00:00.000-04:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $32

THE SKINNY: This is creamy goodness for your eyes.

First Aid Beauty 5 in 1 Eye Cream is designed to smooth, firm, brighten and nourish the skin while adding subtle glow to the under-eye area. It does all that and more. In the few weeks I've been using it, twice a day, I've seen a noticeable reduction in the dark circles and other signs of tiredness under my eyes. (And it's not from getting a decent night's sleep.)

This cream feels great on my skin and soaks in quickly.

My only real complaint is the packaging, which I apparently wasn't smart enough to understand. The tip of the container was sealed, and the only way to open it seemed to be to hack at it with a pair of scissors. There wasn't a "cut here" mark, so I have a little tiny opening through which I have to coax the product.

Luckily, you don't need a lot of this cream at one time, so it's tolerable.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. This is a new favorite of mine.

CHECK IT OUT: This gets great reviews across the board on the First Aid Beauty website.

-- Tested by Shay

Tarte Lipsurgence Skintuitive Lip Tint and Lip Gloss

2015-03-10T08:00:00.000-04:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3 stars

COST: $24 each for full sizes

THE SKINNY: This was one of those random "special offer" items I put into my online Sephora shopping cart to reach the free shipping threshold. The two products are sample sized and sold together.

Tarte's Lipsurgence Skintuitive lip products are supposed to change color, in this case various shades of pink, based on your skin's pH. Mine is sort of a pale magenta pink. The color is kind of meh, mostly because I'm not a loves-pink girl. But I do like the way the products feel on my lips.

The "tint" version is sort of a lip crayon with a Chapstick consistency. It's moisturizing and lasts about as long as my Carmex does. It is a little fragile, though. I've broken off the tip when it gets too warm in my bag and had to smush it back into place.

The "gloss version" is a gooey gloss that leaves a generous coating on my lips and really helped with the late-winter dryness.

So, product great. Color OK. At least it wasn't a really obnoxious pink, right?

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: Tarte Lipsurgence Skintuitive Lip Tint has a lot of moisturizing ingredients in it. Find a complete list online.

-- Tested by Shay

Gucci Guilty Diamond

2015-03-09T08:00:00.000-04:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3 stars

COST: $80 for 1.7 ounces

THE SKINNY: Proving that you can’t judge a fragrance by its name, Gucci Guilty Diamonds is a medium-bodied spicy powdery scent that’s not too floral interesting enough to make me take notice.

Do I love it? No. But I was surprised that I like it.

The notes are lilac, cardamom and pink pepper (How a colored pepper is supposed to smell, I don’t know). The pink pepper adds the spice that I like in the scent and tones down the floral notes.

KEEP OR TOSS: This one is a toss up for me. I like the scent but I don’t know that I would wear it every day.

CHECK IT OUT: The Gucci Guilty Diamond bottle comes with a sparkly “G,” of course.

-- Tested by Shay

L'Occitane Bonne Mere Soap (Milk)

2015-03-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $7 for one bar

THE SKINNY: I love a shower experience that leaves me feeling calm, relaxed and just a little pampered.

L'Occitane Bonne Mere Soap (I used "Milk") fits the bill.

The creamy soap glides on and just makes skin feel soft and refreshed. It has a simple, light aroma and is ideal for every day use.

It comes in three scents and seems to be a better option for skin -- and the environment with L'Occitane's RSPO-certified pal oil.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: Opt for L'Occitane's Bonne Mere Soap if you want to feel pampered or get a great spa-style gift for a friend.

-- Tested by Carrie

Shaveworks The Cool Fix Gel

2015-03-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2 stars

COST: $25 for 5.3 ounces

THE SKINNY: So I used this stuff for a week and never really figured it out. The Cool Fix by Shaveworks is supposed to sooth skin after shaving to waxing and reduce redness and ingrown hairs.

I just did not see any results. And I felt like I was just adding on way too many products. (On days I shave my legs, lotion is a necessity.)

I did not notice a reduction in ingrown hairs either. I'm just not finding a benefit here.

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss.

CHECK IT OUT: Sephora shoppers seem to like Shaveworks The Cool Fix Gel. Maybe it works better with waxing than shaving?

-- Tested by Carrie

Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser

2015-02-27T08:03:00.000-05:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2.5 stars

COST: $75 for 4.1 ounces

THE SKINNY: I didn't really think anything about Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser. It was very average.

And then I saw the price tag -- $75 for a cleanser! I had to be missing something, right?

From the manufacturer: "This gentle exfoliating cleansing treatment acts as a 4-in-1 product to thoroughly cleanse and improve glow while purifying, minimizing the appearance of pores and helping to protect the skin’s natural hydration balance. Free of soaps, alcohols and detergents, this cleanser clarifies with fresh enzymes, clays and essential oils, while microspherical beads polish the skin and reduce appearance of blackheads – all without stripping the skin of moisture."

Maybe I just did not get all that from a little packet. I have been a lot happier with $20 options. (Plus this one also seems a little difficult to find.)

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep, but I won't buy.

CHECK IT OUT: You can find Tata Harper Regenerating Cleanser and more from the brand online.

-- Tested by Carrie

Chloe Love Story

2015-02-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2 stars

COST: $75 for 1 ounce

THE SKINNY: Chloe Love Story is very classic scent that’s not for me. It reminds me of a fresh cut bouquet with some roses in it, even though the official notes include orange blossom oil, jasmine and cedar wood.

This is a heavy scent that lingers in your nostrils, so a little dab will go a long way.

KEEP OR TOSS: I like perfumes with citrus or woodsy scents, so this much floral isn’t for me.

CHECK IT OUT: Love Story's bottle design is based on the locks used throughout the Chloe brand.

-- Tested by Shay

Tarte Fresh Eyes Maracuja Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover Wipes

2015-02-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $12 for 30 wipes

THE SKINNY: My eyes water in cold weather, so I typically wear a waterproof mascara during the winter. It can be a pain to take off, and most makeup wipes take a little elbow grease to get all the mascara off my lashes.

Tarte’s Fresh Eyes Maracuja wipes take a lot less scrubbing and the oils leave the skin around my eyes feeling moisturized instead of sandblasted by cleanser. I’ve been impressed with how well they work — much like using a the perfect amount of liquid makeup remover.

These wipes are about two-thirds the size of a normal face wipe. They’re damp but not dripping wet.

Even better, they contain fruit extracts to help brighten the skin around the eyes. Who doesn’t need that?

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep

CHECK IT OUT: Tarte Fresh Eyes Maracuja Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover Wipes are biodegradable, too.

-- Tested by Shay

Tory Burch

2015-02-24T08:00:00.000-05:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2 stars

COST: $28 for a rollerball

THE SKINNY: You know those "find your perfect scent" tools or quizzes you can fill out? When I do one, Tory Burch's fragrance always appears at the top of the perfume list that's generated.

I didn't like it, although you'd think otherwise if you look at the list of scents that blend together to make Tory Burch's signature fragrance.

Orange blossom. Grapefruit. Jasmine. All of my favorites.

But I found this perfume to be overly sweet in an almost turn-my-stomach sort of way. Instead of citrus, the tone is much more flowery.

It was a disappointing experience for me.

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss. I love the idea of this perfume, but not the actual scent.

CHECK IT OUT: If you do like Tory Burch, it comes in perfume, lotion and shower gel.

-- Tested by Shay

Bumble and Bumble Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner

2015-02-23T08:00:00.000-05:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $25 for 8 ounces

THE SKINNY: Bumble and Bumble Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner did amazing things to my hair over the three days the sample lasted.

It turned my fine, don't-like-to-hold-a-style locks into healthy, voluminous, bouncy hair. Several people asked me if I'd gotten a trim and a new style.

It didn't matter if I paired the shampoo and conditioner with Bumble and Bumble's Thickening Hairspray or not. I got the same incredible result.

But I could only give this product 3.5 stars because it's harsh on my fine hair, making it feel stiff and brittle when it was wet. The conditioner was a requirement, not a bonus, to make my hair feel soft and almost normal again.

It makes me worry about the long-term effects of using this duo day in and day out.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep, but I wouldn't use this product more than once or twice a week.

CHECK IT OUT: Bumble and Bumble's thickening line includes the hairspray and a leave-in conditioner.

-- Tested by Shay

Fresh Sugar Lemon Sugarbath

2015-02-18T08:00:00.000-05:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $38 for 6.35 ounces

THE SKINNY: All you need are two little cubes from this jar to float away to total bath relaxation.

Fresh Sugar Lemon Sugarbath includes a fizzy experience with a citrus smell that is clean, energizing and invigorating.

A good soak with these in the water is seriously all you need to melt away a day of stress. (And I am a sucker for citrus bath products.)

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: Fresh Sugar Lemon Sugarbath is part of the Sugar Lemon line -- now I want to try the fragrance -- that you can find online and from retailers such as Sephora.

-- Tested by Carrie

Cailyn Just Mineral Eye Polish

2015-02-17T08:00:00.000-05:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3 stars

COST: $15

THE SKINNY: Cailyn Just Mineral Eye Polish is an interesting take on a loose, mineral eye shadow. The bottle comes with its own sponge applicator for the shadow, which is easy to apply when the bottle is full and gets less easy and the bottle grows empty.

The brush is nice and firm and easy to use.

The shadow itself -- mine is in a pale neutral pink called "orchid" -- is decent. It goes on thick enough to stay put for a few hours with primer, and it's easy to blend. it has pearl finish, so just enough sparkle to be interesting.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. The pale color is just enough for a weekend look.

CHECK IT OUT: Cailyn Just Mineral Eye Polish comes in a whopping 40 colors.

-- Tested by Shay

Davines MoMo Shampoo and Conditioner

2015-02-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $25 for the shampoo, $29 for the conditioner

THE SKINNY: Davines' MoMo shampoo and conditioner is made for dry and damaged hair and meant to be low-foam so it rinses away cleanly.

My hair isn't normally dry or damaged, but it still loved this shampoo and conditioner. Both left my fine hair silky smooth and shiny.

My hair was soft but still manageable. And I especially enjoyed the smell which was a luxurious cross between a vanilla and a peppermint.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. I used the whole sample over the course of a few weeks.

CHECK IT OUT: The MoMo line includes a shampoo, a conditioner and a hair potion (leave-in conditioner).

-- Tested by Shay

L'Occitane Divine Eyes

2015-02-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3 stars

COST: $76

THE SKINNY: Like all L'Occitane products I've used, Divine Eyes is rich and creamy goodness.

The gel is designed to smooth fine lines and firm sensitive skin around your eyes. It's so soothing that I don't mind it doesn't fight dark circles.

After a few uses, I can already see the skin around my eyes plumping up and those little lines and wrinkles looking less noticeable. Plus, the gel lotion just feels good on my skin.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: L'Occitane recommends using Divine Eyes morning and night.

-- Tested by Shay

Aussie Sun-Touched Shine Spray

2015-02-12T08:00:00.000-05:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2.5 stars

COST: $3.49

THE SKINNY: Aussie recently changed the name of this product to "You Can Shine." Regardless, this hair spray offers flexible hold and a little bit of shine.

It does a decent job on my fine hair, which often has trouble holding any kind of style. It doesn't leave my hair feeling sticky or crunchy.

This gets a lower score because of two issues.

1. I expected a little more shine, especially on my dirty blonde hair.

2. After a few weeks on the bathroom shelf, the hairspray did start showering me with little droplets of product -- maybe that's the shine part.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. It does a decent job of helping my hair hold its style.

CHECK IT OUT: Aussie's You Can Shine line includes shampoo, conditioner and styling products.

-- Tested by Shay

Ole Henriksen Pure Truth Melting Cleanser

2015-02-11T08:00:00.000-05:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $34 for 4 ounces

THE SKINNY: Even though "gelee" was on the package, I did not expect Ole Henriksen Pure Truth Melting Cleanser to actually look and feel like jelly.

But that did not last long. As I rubbed the cleanser in my hands, it turned to more of a thick foam wash.

And it smelled so clean -- a great citrus sent -- that I am not sure I would have even noticed if it left makeup behind. Though I am pretty sure it removed almost every trace of foundation, shadow and mascara from the day.

As with the rest of the Pure Truth line, this product is packed with Vitamin C, which we've found here at Beauty Test Dummies that you either love or hate. (Personally, I am a fan.)

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: You can buy direct from Ole Henriksen or at retailers such as Sephora.

-- Tested by Carrie

Clarins UV Plus HP Sunscreen

2015-02-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $41 for 1.7 ounces

THE SKINNY: Major SPF power. Check. Glide on formula. Check. Smooth texture with moisture. Check.

The only problem with Clarins UV Plus HP Sunscreen (SPF 40) is that it's not waterproof. Sadly I found myself wiping it off and into my eyes during a run.

On the flip side, this would be a great daily sunscreen (if you makeup is lacking SPF). It glides on so smooth and actually feels great on skin. Nothing like what you imagine from some of the drugstore sunscreens.

I do find it irritating though that something this pricey isn't waterproof. Really?

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: You can find Clarins at Sephora.

-- Tested by Carrie

Bliss High Intensity Hand Cream

2015-02-09T08:00:00.000-05:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $18

THE SKINNY: I am becoming a bigger fan of the Bliss line of products every day. Bliss High Intensity Hand Cream is a powerful option that has been able to calm the dry, cracked skin winter has forced on me.

The cream is thick and creamy, but not greasy. It smells light with a hint of lemon.

And I could feel it working for hours. This is the first thing I have found all winter that seems to stick around and work. It can be a little on the pricey side for a hand cream, but the overall value is there.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: You can find Bliss items at retailers such as Ulta or from the company website, Blissworld (gotta love that name!).

-- Tested by Carrie

Nude Detox Brightening Powder Wash

2015-02-06T08:00:00.000-05:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2.5 stars

COST: $42

THE SKINNY: I liked the idea of a powder cleanser that fizzes and foams after you get it wet, but the reality is that the product falls way short.

It does fizz and foam, but there was still a lot of gritty product left behind. It was also tough to keep the powder from washing away before it fizzed enough to use.

It seemed to clean well enough, aside from the leftover grit. But it also had a somewhat unpleasant smell to it.

The idea of this product is a lot nicer than it really is.

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss.

CHECK IT OUT: The Nude brand is new to me; you can find it at Sephora.

-- Tested by Carrie

Olay Regenerist Luminous

2015-02-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2 stars

COST: $25.99

THE SKINNY: Designed to help fade dark spots and firm skin, Olay's Regenerist Luminous seems like a great idea. Too bad the sample is too small to tell.

Seriously what is the point of giving away a one-time-use packet if the stuff takes EIGHT WEEKS to work. How do I know if this stuff is worth the price?

What I can say is that the cream is silky and glides on. The smell was pleasant.

Overall though, it did not moisturize as much as I would hope. (That's a must for something that is more than $25.)

KEEP OR TOSS: I might try it again.

CHECK IT OUT: This is part of a complete Olay Regenerist line that you can find at drugstores.

-- Tested by Carrie

Jack Black Lip Balm

2015-02-04T08:00:00.000-05:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $7.50

THE SKINNY: While Jack Black typically offers products for men, this lip balm is something anyone can enjoy.

It's a lot like Carmex in a tube ... only with more flavor options and more SPF.

I call that a win!

The clear balm goes on smooth, although it can be a little tough to squeeze it out of the tube, especially if it gets cold.

There's just enough flavor to be pleasant, but not overpowering and the moisture from this balm lasts for hours. Plus at only $7.50 a tube, it's a pretty good thing to add to a online shopping cart when you are hovering near a free shipping deal.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: This lip balm comes in five flavors and is designed for men or women.

-- Tested by Carrie

Suntegrity Face Sunscreen and Primer

2015-02-03T08:00:00.000-05:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $45 for 1.7 ounces

THE SKINNY: I need a good sunscreen for my face all year round.

I had never seen or tried Suntegrity Face Sunscreen and Primer until the little packet came in a Sephora grab bag. But it was a great choice for a long run in the winter sun and wind.

The formula is super thick and coats extremely well. It was not greasy at all and my skin actually felt moisturized. (And I came inside after more than two hours without even a hint of redness.)

The formula contains SPF 30 and can be used under makeup as well.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: Suntegrity is an Allure Best of Beauty winner, always a sure sign that a product is worth a try. You can find it online.

-- Tested by Carrie

Ole Henriksen Grease Relief Cleansing Cloths

2015-02-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2.5 stars

COST: $8 for 10 cloths

THE SKINNY: I grabbed a sample pack of these cleansing cloths thinking they would be good after a lunchtime workout. They're OK but not nearly as useful as I had hoped.

These are made with eucalyptus, which you can really smell, as well as witch hazel, aloe and a few other ingredients meant to help remove excess oil from your skin.

The smell is a little off-putting, and the clean isn't as tangy as I wanted. They do a good job of removing grime and oil. But I'm not enamored by them.

The cloths are textured on one side to help with cleansing.

If you're looking for something to cleanse, exfoliate and calm your skin, these are worth a try.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. They do work.

CHECK IT OUT: Ole Henriksen recommends Grease Relief Cleansing Cloths for oily or blemish-prone skin.

-- Tested by Shay

Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil

2015-01-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 1 star

COST: $32 for 6 ounces

THE SKINNY: I was skeptical of a face cleansing oil, and I was right. While I wanted to like the new Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil, my face did not at all.

It led to a pretty massive breakout.

Maybe because my skin tends to be somewhat sensitive and on the oily side already?

Regardless, it was not a good fit.

But that's OK because the texture did not feel clean -- it was pretty runny -- and the smell is rather offensive. (It smells kind of like a bad orange.)

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss.

CHECK IT OUT: Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil is a Sephora exclusive right now as the product launches.

-- Tested by Carrie