BeneFit - Blush in Dallas

 This is a wonderful shade that looks like a lovely, natural outdoor glow. I have pale skin and this doesn't look muddy or dark on me at all. It's not shimmery so it will look unobtrusive, but if you prefer shimmer, a highlighter can be applied sparingly over top with a fan brush to create a glowing effect.

Normally anything with a hint of brown or orange tends to look dirty and/or sickly on my skin, but this one is just muted enough to make it look natural without creating this dreaded effect. I don't know about other skintones, but anyone with pale to medium skin like mine will likely find that this becomes a favourite!

The packaging is super cute if a bit larger than needed. It's a cardboard package though, so be careful not to leave it on the bathroom counter if your counter tends to get wet! As with pretty much everything, I don't use the brush that comes with it, but as long as you've got a favourite blush brush you will be able to create a lovely glow. Highly recommend it!

Ratings:
Packaging: 4/5
Product quality: 5/5
Worth the price? I'd say so.
Would I purchase again? Probably. I have a feeling it'll last awhile though, as I don't tend to wear a lot of blush.

Cruelty-Free? Not sure. They claim not to use animal testing, but, according to PETA, they have repeatedly refused to sign the cruelty-free pledge to appear on PETA's Cruelty-Free list. When asked, they say this is because they can't guarantee that all the ingredients they use haven't been tested on animals at some point in history - but this is a given for nearly all cosmetics companies, so you'd think it would be implied for all the companies on the list. I'm still looking into it.

Where to find it: BeneFit online, Sephora in store and online. 

The Body Shop - Shower Gel in Satsuma

This stuff smells like a citrus orchard in a bottle. It's one of those scents you just want to breathe in and never breathe out again. You need only a little bit because it lathers up like crazy, and the scent will linger on your skin for literally hours after you're done in the shower - maybe a down side for people who aren't so crazy about perfumes and scents! But I absolutely love it, and it's great for this time of year when you're starting to see summer around the corner! Mmmm-mmmm.

Ratings:
Packaging: 5/5
Product quality: 5/5
Worth the price? Definitely!
Would I purchase again? I have, and might get another backup while I still can since it's discontinued! **Update 2/6/11 - Until I have more information on whether this company can truly be called "cruelty-free" (see below) I will not be purchasing anything else from The Body Shop.

Cruelty-Free? Appears on PETA's Cruelty-Free list, but is a subsidiary of L’Oréal. I am currently making enquiries as to how they can be on the cruelty-free list while their parent company is known to use animal testing.

Where to find it: The Body Shop in store and online. 

Burt's Bees - Orange Essence Facial Cleanser

You may have seen my post yesterday bout Burt's Bees Citrus Facial Scrub (click here if you didn't) and how much I love it. I figured this would be along the same lines only without the exfoliating, because let's face it (pun only slightly intended), you can't exfoliate every single time you wash your face. Plus, a girl just needs variety.

Unfortunately I can't rave about this with quite the same enthusiasm as the Citrus Facial Scrub. It smells lovely, yes (though not quite as good, in my opinion) but it just doesn't quite measure up. I'm someone who hates the feeling of anything - particularly anything oily - coating my skin. I've gotten used to moisturizer, because I had to, but when I wash my face I want it to come away feeling refreshed, supple and above all, clean!

Though this did make my skin feel nice and smooth, it left an oily-feeling layer on my skin. Now, for many of you, this might not be a problem. For those with really dry skin, it might even be a plus. Just not for me. Sadly, I think this is one I'll be giving to a friend...

Ratings:
Packaging: 5/5
Product quality: 3.5/5
Worth the price? Not for me. 
Would I purchase again? No, I'm sticking with the Citrus Facial Scrub. **Update 2/6/11 - Until I have more information on whether this company can truly be called "cruelty-free" (see below) I will not be purchasing anything else from Burt's Bees.

Cruelty-Free? Appears on PETA's Cruelty-Free list, but is a subsidiary of Clorox, which appears on their list of companies that do test on animals. I am currently making enquiries as to how they can be on the cruelty-free list while their parent company is known to use animal testing.

Where to find it: Whole Foods. 

MAC - Eyeshadow in Smut

***Pictures and Swatches Coming Soon!***

This is absolutely gorgeous and completely unique. It's a hard shade to describe - it's like a medium warm-toned grey with hints of dirty brown. It seems to have reddish and purple undertones in the pan rather than a flat grey/brown (I have mine in a palette with my greys and the difference is really obvious when comparing side by side).

It's great for a smokey eye or as a less intense alternative to a black shadow like MAC's Carbon. It blends easily, and because of the mixture of shades it would suit pretty much anyone. If you're new to smokey eyes or apprehensive about using a dark, intense colour like Carbon, this might be the perfect alternative.

I think this should be a staple in everyone's collection because it's simply beautiful and I've never seen anything else like it!

Burt's Bees - Citrus Facial Scrub

 I recently picked this up at Whole Foods (I'm trying to buy natural products more often) and love it. The consistency and method remind me of a LUSH product, Angels on Bare Skin, which I loved back when I worked there.

The trick with this is to take a small amount (slightly larger than pea-sized) and work it into a paste with a little water. You then massage the paste over your face, rinse, and voila! Just don't try to pre-mix it in the jar as it will get all gooey and will not work properly! Also, because it doesn't contain chemicals, mixing it with water will breed bacteria more quickly and is not hygienic!

I love how smooth and soft this makes my skin without drying it out at all. It also smells like mince pies! Mmmmm.....

 Ratings:
Packaging: 4/5 (the jar is glass and I'm clumsy, so I do worry about dropping it in the tub!)
Product quality: 5/5
Worth the price? Very.
Would I purchase again? I think this will always be in my shower!**Update 2/6/11 - Until I have more information on whether this company can truly be called "cruelty-free" (see below) I will not be purchasing anything else from Burt's Bees.

Cruelty-Free? Appears on PETA's Cruelty-Free list, but is a subsidiary of Clorox, which appears on their list of companies that do test on animals. I am currently making enquiries as to how they can be on the cruelty-free list while their parent company is known to use animal testing.

MAC - Fluidline

***Pictures and Swatches Coming Soon!***

I love this formula - it glides on like a dream but is intensely pigmented and creates a very strong line. I find that it's easiest to apply with a bent liner brush, like BeneFit's Get Bent or with an angled brush like MAC's 226. These both allow good control (as long as you've got a relatively steady hand!). Though the jar doesn't look that impressive, it will last for ages as you need so little to create the perfect dark line.

Blacktrack: This is the ultimate MAC black liner. The gel formula means that you can draw the line easily without tugging or folding the skin and it will last all day (or night) long! Great if you're doing a pinup girl eye or Winehouse cat-eye!
 
Dipdown: I have really pale skin, so often black liner makes an otherwise neutral and understated look become intense. I really like this liner for these situations because it's dark enough do create a bold line, but slightly softer. It looks like a red-tinged mid-tone brown in the jar but does go on quite dark. I'd recommend giving this a try if you want something slightly more understated than deep black!

Rich Ground: This is an absolutely gorgeous golden bronze that I have actually been known to use as a cream shadow for a dramatic eye! It can also be used on the bottom lashline with a bronze shadow to brighten up the eye without smudging or fallout. Gorgeous!

Dark Diversion: A dark purple, this liner is stunning on hazel and green eyes instead of using black liner. Goes on quite dark, but catches the light mesmerizingly. This one was limited edition, so probably won't be easy to find anymore, unfortunately. Try Macroviolet as an alternative.

Ratings:
Packaging: 5/5
Product quality: 5/5
Worth the price? No doubt.
Would I purchase again? Yes. Likely I'll need to re-purchase to replace aged product well before it's actually used up, though! This is one you could easily split with a friend who has an empty jar to save some money. A little goes a very long way!

Cruelty-Free? Yes - appears on PETA's Cruelty-Free list.

Where to find it: All Cosmetics Wholesale online.

The Body Shop - Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash

I first started using The Body Shop's Tea Tree line in my teenage years to help with breakouts instead of harsh chemical options. I found the smell a little strange at first, but over time I got used to it and started to like it. My mother is an aromatherapist, so she recommended it, being familiar with the antiseptic and healing qualities of Tea Tree oil.

Now that I'm a little older (okay, a lot older) I don't have to worry about breakouts quite as much, but I do still have that wonderful hormonal week every month when the skin goes a little haywire - particularly if I'm under the weather. I always keep a little travel sized bottle of this cleanser around to use when I've got a couple of breakouts going on. I like that it makes my skin feel very refreshed and... well... clean without drying it out or making it feel like it's being pulled tight over my face. Give it a try if you have trouble with your complexion but want to stay away from harsh chemical ingredients!


Ratings:
Packaging: 5/5
Product quality: 5/5
Worth the price? I just get the travel size and it's only about $4 - and lasts me a few months at least!
Would I purchase again? Yes, over and over again! **Update 2/6/11 - Until I have more information on whether this company can truly be called "cruelty-free" (see below) I will not be purchasing anything else from The Body Shop.

Cruelty-Free? Appears on PETA's Cruelty-Free list, but is a subsidiary of L’Oréal. I am currently making enquiries as to how they can be on the cruelty-free list while their parent company is known to use animal testing.

Where to find it: The Body Shop in store or online.

MAC - Pigment in Blonde's Gold

***Pictures and Swatches Coming Soon!***

Like all MAC pigments, this is intensely pigmented, but because it's such an understated gold shade it applies as a very neutral sheen. I absolutely love using it all over the lid with an intense black liquid/gel cat eye line along the lash line to create a traditional Hollywood glamour look that can be worn during the day or with a dramatic lip for nighttime shenanigans!

I have very pale skin and I find that this shade gives a fresh, bright eye. Like with most pigments, this needs a base, preferably a paint pot as it gives that tacky surface for the product to cling to. This, along with tapping off excess product before applying, will help to avoid fallout as well. But as long as you apply it correctly it will last all day and look absolutely stunning!

Ratings:
Packaging: 4/5
Product quality: 5/5
Worth the price? Definitely!
Would I purchase again? I don't think I'll need to - MAC's pigment jars last forever!

Cruelty-Free? Yes - appears on PETA's Cruelty-Free list.

Where to find it: MAC in store and online.