Beauty Test Dummies

Yes To Blueberries Eye Firming Treatment

2013-05-17T06:00:00.000-04:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3 stars

COST: $19.99 for 0.5 ounce

THE SKINNY: Yes to Blueberries' Eye Firming Treatment is supposed to show results in fighting those crows' feet around your eyes in seven days.

I'd actually believe it. This is a nice, smooth cream that I found to be non-irritating. It leaves my eye area moisturized and feeling good, even after a night of beer and cigarette smoke (theirs, not mine).

It does a decent job fighting dark circles and tired eyes, although prefer the cooling power of Ole Hendrick Ultimate Eye Lift Gel.

This is a cost effective option that works. It's made with blueberries, beeswax and paracress flower, a flowering herb that is helpful in easing the pain of toothaches.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: Yes to Carrots recommends using this product alongside its Daily Repairing Moisturizer and its Deep Wrinkle Night Cream.

-- Tested by Shay

Living Proof Prime Style Extender

2013-05-16T06:00:00.000-04:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $20 for 5 ounces

THE SKINNY: Wow. And I mean wow. Prime Style Extender from Living Proof gives my hair such a boost. And it's true, the staying power does last into the next day (although my hair is too fine and gets dirty looking too easily to ever skip a shampoo.)

I've used it layered with Redken Guts 10 volumizing spray and by itself. Either way, it left my hair feeling thick and healthy.

It works by coating each strand of hair, making the style hold better and repelling dirt and gook that can weigh down strands. It also works as a detangler.

Prime did irritate my scalp after a few days of continuous use, as most products tend to do. It will work better for me to use this product every few days, especially on those days when I have a lot going on and need my hair to stand up to a busy schedule.

Good thing, too, because it's expensive.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. I've already ordered a full-size tube.

CHECK IT OUT: Apply Living Proof Prime on damp hair. Work a little dollup, and style as usual. Living Proof offers free shipping (no minimum purchase) and samples with every order.

-- Tested by Shay

Juice Beauty Hydrating Mist

2013-05-15T06:00:00.000-04:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 1 star

COST: $22 for 6.75 ounces

THE SKINNY: The idea is great. Create a light product that can cool your skin, hydrate and tone.

The delivery is awful. This product smells like a rest stop bathroom. It's definitely not something I want to spray on myself to feel cool and refreshed.

The mist is made with rosehip, ylang ylang and juices. It really shouldn't smell as bad as it does.

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss. What were they thinking with the scent?

CHECK IT OUT: This product gets great reviews on the Juice Beauty website. But on the Ipsy site, they're a lot more mixed because of the smell.

-- Tested by Shay

NYX Roll On Shimmer

2013-05-14T06:00:00.000-04:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $5

THE SKINNY: This is an affordable fun that delivers decent color with a lot of glittery sparkle.

The rollerball application works surprisingly well. Apply to your eyelids with an easy stroke. Be careful using a makeup brush, though. I tried to blend the shadow a little bit and found that it and the glittery basically brushed right off my lid, even with a good primer underneath it.

That being said, the shadow only stays in a place a few hours and gets horrible creases. Luckily, the tube is little smaller than the average tube of lip gloss and drops right into your purse for touch-ups.

I love the dark purple for it's drama, but it's hard to blend. So layer a darker shadow with a lighter shadow such as salmon or nude for the best effect.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: NYX Roll On Shimmer comes in 16 colors.

-- Tested by Shay

New York Streets Dry Shampoo

2013-05-13T06:00:00.000-04:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2 stars

COST: $17.99

THE SKINNY: I'm finding dry shampoos to be very hit or miss. This one from New York Streets is another miss in my book.

The problem is two-fold. First, the shampoo goes on as a very light mist and doesn't seem to deliver much action. My hair didn't look much different after I used it. Second, the shampoo smells kind of sickly sweet and the scent lingers. I try to use it in an open area, so the fragrance doesn't turn my stomach.

If I'm going to put up with that smell, I need the shampoo to really work. That means pulling the day's grime out of my hair and adding some volume back in.

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss. Stick with TRESemme's dry shampoo instead. It works well and it has a better price tag.

CHECK IT OUT: New York Streets has a whole line of hair products.

-- Tested by Shay

Pantene Texturizing Sculpting Wax

2013-05-10T06:00:00.000-04:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $4.97

THE SKINNY: If you need a strong texturizing wax, Pantene has one that works well. The only drawback it's uber sticky. When you touch your fingers together, you gets threads of product. It's that sticky.

But I love it. Surprisingly, it doesn't weigh down my fine hair or make it look greasy. And after I apply it, the excess product rinses off my fingers with water.

This creates texture and volume. And it adds a little shine to my dishwater blonde hair.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. This is an inexpensive option that's fun to play with.

CHECK IT OUT: You can find Pantene Texturizing Sculpting Wax in any drugstore. And probably the grocery store, too.

-- Tested by Shay

Yaby eye shadow

2013-05-09T06:00:00.000-04:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2 stars

COST: $3.15 each

THE SKINNY: These eye shadow samples for Yaby came in a recent Ipsy box and are meant to go inside a GlamRX compact. The small compact has a magnetic bottom so little tins of eye shadow or blush or whatever stick and don't rattle around.

Sadly, Yaby eye shadow isn't that good. The two colors -- a sandy color aptly called "sand dune" and a turquoise called "so vein" -- are pretty but go on thin and chalky. They don't last long either, even with primer.

Plus, the tins are just too small to get a regular eyeshadow brush into.

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss. I have so many eye shadows, I don't need to keep the ones I don't like.

CHECK IT OUT: If you want to try them, there are dozens of colors from which to choose on the Yaby website.

-- Tested by Shay

She's A Tease Volumizing Hairspray

2013-05-08T06:00:00.000-04:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 1 star

COST: $5.99

THE SKINNY: This hairspray from the Not Your Mother's brand smells awful. Really awful. I can't even describe the smell, other than to say it's sharp and supposed to be apple. (It's not. If apples smelled like this, no one would ever have tried to eat one.)

Beyond the scent, the hairspray is mediocre. I'd say it's closer to a spray-in texturizer than a hold-style-in-place hairspray. The product is light and just leaves my hair feeling a little gritty.

The hairspray is supposed to fight humidity.

Luckily, it's not terribly expensive.

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss. I do not want to smell this product again.

CHECK IT OUT: People either love this product or hate it, according to the reviews on Ulta.

-- Tested by Shay

Smashbox More Than Primer

2013-05-07T06:00:00.000-04:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2 stars

COST: $42

THE SKINNY: I've been a fan of Smashbox primers for years and especially love the luminizing forumla. But this one, formulated to erase dark spots and brighten your complexion, is disappointing.

For starters, it's creamier than the other Smashbox offerings, which tend to be more waxy. The creamier version, while easier to apply, doesn't offer the same coverage. So I don't see that Smashbox "camera ready" result.

Smashbox More That Primer also seems to skimp on the primer part. My makeup didn't last any longer.

And I didn't notice any change in my dark spots after a few weeks of use.

That's disappointing for a brand that has worked so well in the past.

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss.

CHECK IT OUT: Smashbox recommends using this product twice a day.

-- Tested by Shay

Color Touch Eye, Cheek & Lip Glow

2013-05-06T06:00:00.000-04:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $17

THE SKINNY: I didn't have a lot of hope for this color (teen tone) when I pulled it out of the box. I figured it would be too light and pinky for my fair skin. But it's not.

This creamy highlighter from Skinn Cosmetics adds a warm, pretty pink glow to my cheeks and eyes. I think it's better than blush for spring.

The bonus is it's easy to apply and lasts all day.

You can apply it with a brush or your fingertips.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. This is going to be one of my beauty staples.

CHECK IT OUT: Color Touch Eye, Cheek & Lip Glow comes in five colors, although the website is a little difficult to navigate.

-- Tested by Shay

Mark Glow Baby Glow Hook Up Lip Gloss

2013-05-03T06:00:00.000-04:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $6.50

THE SKINNY: I had low hopes for this one. I don't know why. But I was surprised. This is a thicker gloss that is incredibly buttery and not too shiny. It feels great on my lips, and the color lasts about two hours.

My gloss is in "honey," a rosy nude color that is just a smidgen lighter than my natural lip color.

The Hook Up part of the product is a coupler that lets you snap several products, such as lip gloss and mascara, together to make it easier to carry around.

This is a great, inexpensive lip gloss that I will have to try in other colors.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. I love the way the gloss feels on my lips.

CHECK IT OUT: Glow Baby Glow comes in six colors and can be found on the Mark website.

-- Tested by Shay

La Fresh Travel Light Makeup Wipes

2013-05-02T06:00:00.000-04:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2.5 stars

COST: $1.99 for eight

THE SKINNY: La Fresh's wipes are cool and soothing. Because of that, I really like using them after a workout. They wipe away that flushed feeling, along with sweat and dirt.

But they are not good for removing makeup. Maybe they're too wet. But they just smeared eyeshadow and mascara around my eyes.

If you're looking for something that will dissolve makeup, try a different product. Everything else I've used works better.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep, but only for my gym bag.

CHECK IT OUT: These wipes came in a recent Ipsy box.

-- Tested by Shay

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush

2013-05-01T06:00:00.000-04:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $26

THE SKINNY: This blush came in the Tarte Carried Away Collection, a Sephora exclusive for Christmas 2012. I had been using Nars blush in Orgasm (like nearly everyone else on the planet), but I found Tarte's blush in Adventurous to be a warmer color and add a nicer glow to my cheeks.

A light dusting of the blush really does last for the day, which is impressive.

Tarte is big into its Amazon Clay products, an ingredient said to absorb oil from the pores and leave skin feeling hydrated. It doesn't clog my pores or leave my skin feeling irritated.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. I like the color.

CHECK IT OUT: See all the available colors on the Tarte website.

-- Tested by Shay

Big Sexy Hair Spray & Play Volumizing Hairspray

2013-04-30T06:00:00.000-04:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $17.95

THE SKINNY: Big Sexy Hair makes a decent hairspray.

This isn't sticky or heavy. It holds well for a few hours and is easy to layer more on after that.

It has no real smell that I notice. The nozzle is easy to control and apply short bursts of product, which is what I need for my fine hair.

Big Sexy Hair calls this a "flexible, working hairspray" for volume, hold and shine. It is designed to combat humidity, too.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. I like this hairspray, mostly because it doesn't leave me feeling sticky.

CHECK IT OUT: Big Sexy Hair products are fairly easy to find at places such as Target and Ulta.

-- Tested by Shay

Thymes Lotus Santal Lotion

2013-04-29T06:00:00.000-04:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2 stars

COST: $25 for 9.25 fluid ounces

THE SKINNY: Thymes does make a nice, thick lotion, and this one was no exception. It handled my dry, chapped hands and kept them feeling moisturized for hours.

But it only gets two stars because of the fragrance. Santal smells strongly like men's cologne. The scent lingered for what seemed like forever and overpowered everything else around it.

The advertising calls is a "a lulling hush that smooths the rhythms of the day." I'd say it's anything but.

Unless you're a guy.

Ladies, stick with the Naia Body Lotion.

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss. My guy should smell like a guy. Not me.

CHECK IT OUT: Learn more about the fragrances used in this lotion on the Thymes website.

-- Tested by Shay

Aveda Invati Exfoliating Shampoo and Thickening Conditioner

2013-04-26T06:00:00.000-04:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2 stars

COST: $25 each

THE SKINNY: Aveda is great at making samples of its products available, such as this duo from its Invati line. This product is meant to fight breakage and make each strand of hair a little thicker.

The shampoo is exfoliating to remove excess build-up and leave hair healthier. Both also promote shine.

They did leave my hair shiny, but that's it. My hair was heavy and looked greasy halfway through the day. I tried skipping the conditioner, but I got the same result.

This is not for me. But it gets two stars for shine.

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss. I can't use shampoo that ultimately makes my hair look dirty.

CHECK IT OUT: The Invati line includes a scalp revitalizer.

-- Tested by Shay

Jonathan Dirt texturizing paste

2013-04-25T06:00:00.000-04:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $26

THE SKINNY: If you're looking for a hair wax that isn't sticky, this is it. It may be more expensive than a lot of others, but this stuff really works well.

I hate to admit that I've seen Jonathan Antin's old reality show, "Blow Out," and this was the product he touted the most on it. I always wanted to try it, but for a long time is seemed only available on QVC.

Now it's a lot more mainstream, and I'm glad. This texturing paste isn't sticky or tacky or greasy. It's infused with lemongrass essential water for hair manageability and sweet almond protein for hair repair.

The product in my sample is, well, hard, for lack of a better word. You can't really goop a lot of product on your fingertips. But I just need a little to add volume and suppleness to my fine locks, and the product doesn't make my hair greasy by lunchtime.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. I'm impressed.

CHECK IT OUT: Find this product at stores such as Ulta.

-- Tested by Shay

Ineke Hothouse Flower

2013-04-24T06:00:00.000-04:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 1.5 stars

COST: $95 for 2.5 fluid ounces

THE SKINNY: This perfume from Ineke is heavy on the floral scent. In fact, the advertising material calls it an "overindulgence" of gardenia, and they aren't kidding.

Hothouse Flower also contains notes of Earl Gray tea, cypress, frankincense, musk, among others. But I couldn't smell any of them.

All I smelled was flower. And that's not a good thing in my book.

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss. I don't want to smell like a bouquet.

CHECK IT OUT: Ineke has scents in A through H.

-- Tested by Shay

Shadow Insurance

2013-04-23T06:00:00.000-04:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $20

THE SKINNY: Too Face's Shadow Insurance primer works great. This is a thicker primer that goes on easily and absorbs quickly.

It kept my eyeshadow in place all day without any major smudging or creasing. That's impressive in my book and rivals the Urban Decay primer I usually prefer.

It's not overly expensive, either. Bonus!

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep.

CHECK IT OUT: Two Faced has several primer options, including a shimmery candlelight version and one to hold glittery shadows in place.

-- Tested by Shay

Smokey Lash Kapow Mascara

2013-04-22T06:00:00.000-04:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2 stars

COST: $18.50

THE SKINNY: This mascara from POP Beauty is dark black and almost creamy. It creates really nice lashes when you first put it on, but the product doesn't last long.

A lot of reviewers on the Ipsy site complained that it rubbed off very easily and left them with raccoon eyes.

I didn't have that problem, but within a few hours the mascara is all gone from my eyes.

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss. I seem to have lots of mascara samples right now, so I don't need one that doesn't work.

CHECK IT OUT: Pop Beauty says this mascara has super black coloring for extra intensity.

-- Tested by Shay

Put a Lid on It

2013-04-19T06:00:00.000-04:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2 stars

COST: $18

THE SKINNY: This eyeshadow primer from The Balm isn't a favorite.

The texture is oily and a little runny. While other primer hold my eyeshadow through most of the workday. this one lasts until lunch.

It's supposed to be a mattifying primer. But my eyelids really don't get shiny or oily.

Put a Lid on It feels too runny to really do much good.

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss.

CHECK IT OUT: This sample came in a recent Birchbox. If you're interested in this product, you can buy it online through The Balm's website.

-- Tested by Shay

Fresh Start Volumizing Dry Shampoo

2013-04-18T06:00:00.000-04:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $5.49

THE SKINNY: Treseme's dry shampoo is a budget-friendly option that does a decent job.

My fine hair goes flat after a half-day of work and can look a little dull and greasy, depending on the weather and what I'm doing that day. I love to keep dry shampoo in my desk drawer to help freshen up my look for a late-afternoon meetings or when getting together with friends after work.

Treseme doesn't have much of a scent, it's easy to apply and it doesn't leave my hair looking chalky. It uses mineral clay to absorb the oil from your hair. After a few blasts of the spray, I comb out my hair and tousle. It does add volume.

My only complaint is if I use a lot of spray, it will leave my hair a little tacky feeling and will make my scalp a little itchy after a few hours.

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. This is my current go-to brand of dry shampoo.

CHECK IT OUT: Treseme says this product can help preserve your salon color, too.

-- Tested by Shay

Emani Minerals Foundation Primer and Serum

2013-04-17T06:00:00.001-04:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 2.5 stars

COST: $28

THE SKINNY: Emani Minerals combines a beauty serum and a makeup primer in this product. It does an OK job of helping to even out my skin tone and hide little blemishes. It held both powder and, the next day, a light foundation in place OK.

But it didn't do anything for my oily T-zone. My forehead was oily halfway through the workday.

This is a clear primer that goes on a little greasy, so I wasn't surprised when that shine appeared on my forehead.

KEEP OR TOSS: Toss. For me, primer needs to keep my skin looking good all day.

CHECK IT OUT: Find a list of ingredients at the Emani website.

-- Tested by Shay

Too Faced Tinted Beauty Balm

2013-04-16T06:00:00.000-04:00

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RATING (out of 5 stars): 3.5 stars

COST: $34

THE SKINNY: This product really scared me at first. Too Faced's BB cream was quite dark in the package. But I used it anyway.

And the cream went on super smooth and actually matched my skin tone pretty well. (I am a standard medium and used "Nude Glow.") This shade is much darker than what I would have bought on my own so you should really test this bb cream on your skin before buying.

The coverage was nice and the creamy formula did not dry my skin. As an added bonus the Too Faced formula is oil-free (always a plus) and includes SPF 20 (a must-have).

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep. This product is a little expensive but the samples are nice.

CHECK IT OUT: Too Faced is available online and from retailers such as Sephora and Ulta.

-- Tested by Carrie

Maybelline Baby Lips

2013-04-15T06:00:00.000-04:00

RATING (out of 5 stars): 4 stars

COST: $2.99

THE SKINNY: I am a bit of a lip balm addict. Gloss is nice but I go absolutely crazy if I forget my balm.

Maybelline's (fairly) new Baby Lips balm goes on smooth and adds a ton of moisture to lips.

The stick is nice and fat, which is great if you are using the basic clear, sunscreen only formula but could be a bit messy with a tinted balm.

The flavor is subtle -- not that I really needed it -- and this product is cheap. Especially for something that works so well. This is definitely something to keep in your bag.

Baby Lips kept my lips feeling soft all day and comes in six shades (although I really think untinted is probably best because of the wide stick).

KEEP OR TOSS: Keep and stock up with coupons and sales.

CHECK IT OUT: Baby Lips gets great reviews online, too. Buy it online from retailers such as Ulta or at drugstores.

-- Tested by Carrie