Kiehl's - Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado

I have found using this product to be a singularly odd experience. I have read lots of reviews describing it as "thick" and "creamy" and saying that it takes awhile to sink in, and perhaps I just got a weird batch, but that's not how I'd describe it. In fact, I'm not sure how to describe it at all!

It's almost like when I go to rub it in it separates into two distinct layers, with the bottom layer clinging to my skin where I first applied it and refusing to budge and the top layer becoming watery and viscous, so my finger skids off the bottom layer. This makes it really hard to work into the skin at first! If I keep working it, however, it will eventually spread out a bit, but it really took some getting used to, and I was quite taken aback the first time I tried it!

That said, once I manage to spread it, it absorbs remarkably quickly and does seem to keep my delicate skin moisturized. I've found that if I get it too close to my eyes (any closer than about 5 millimeters) it will cause a bit of irritation and watering. But I have very sensitive eyes, so this may not be the case for most people.

Overall I don't think I'd buy this again, and I definitely wouldn't pay full price (I got mine online from All Cosmetics Wholesale), but I'll use up the tub I have!

**Update - 2/6/2011
I have been doing a lot of research on companies that do and don't test on animals. I was surprised to discover that Kiehl's is actually a subsidiary company of L'Oreal, who appear on PETA's list of companies who DO test on animals. I will not be purchasing anything from Kiehl's in the future, and please bear this information in mind when making your own consumer decisions.


Ratings:
Packaging: 5/5
Product quality: 3/5
Worth the price? Not full price, no.
Would I purchase again? I don't think so. 
Cruelty-Free? No. Kiehl's is a subsidiary of L'Oreal, who appear on PETA's list of companies who DO test on animals.   
Where to find it: Kiehl's - in store or online. 

Juice Beauty - Oil Free Moisturizer

First of all, I love the concepts of this brand. Not only are their products 98% USDA-certified organic, but they are a cruelty-free brand listed on the PETA website - both things that are very important to me when looking at a cosmetics company! It's great to know that not only am I putting something natural on my skin, but I'm avoiding animal cruelty at the same time.

I first tried this, like many of you, as a Sephora sample. I love the scent - light citrus with a hint of something sweet, like vanilla, and not at all synthetic. I have sensitive skin that can be dry in the winter - but I really HATE the feel of thick lotion or lots of makeup on my skin (I tend to use tinted moisturizer instead of foundation!). This goes on smoothly and absorbs without a trace (be careful not to use too much though - or it will feel sticky and not absorb properly!). I have found that it feels good on my skin and leaves it soft and healthy-looking.

I've read a few reviews saying that the juice has left skin feeling tingly or irritated. I have to say, I'm really surprised to hear this. I have very sensitive, pale skin that burns in about two seconds flat and can't handle any strong chemical products without getting pink and irritated - but I haven't even felt a hint of a tingle with this! So it's definitely a product that differs between people.

I certainly think that this is suited more to people with oilier skin or who don't like the feel of heavy moisturizer - and won't work in harsh winter climates. But with summer coming up I've stocked up and definitely see myself sticking with this in the future!


Ratings:
Packaging: 4.5/5 (can be hard to get the last little bit out)
Product quality: 5/5
Worth the price? Yep.
Would I purchase again? Already have! 

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

Where to find it: Juice Beauty online, EBeauty online, Sephora in store or online. 

The Body Shop - Sampler Gift Set

I got this set for just $10 because I wanted to try the Peppermint Foot Lotion. The lotion turned out not to be as good as my all-time fave, Pied de Pepper, but the set was a great deal and it's been fun trying some of the other stuff, too! 

I like the almond hand wash - it definitely keeps my skin feeling soft and supple. I like the scent of almonds - but I do find that this is a little overwhelming and the scent stays on my hands for ages after I wash them. It's a little much. I haven't tried the Coconut Shower Gel yet, but it's next on my list. It smells great in the bottle, though! And of course Cocoa Butter Lotion - well you really can't go wrong there! I've been using various different cocoa butter lotions for years. The only think I really don't like is the White Musk Shower Gel. I've never been a fan of the scent (neither was the guy in I bought it from at the store - I said I probably would give it away and he winked and said "I don't blame you!"). I'm sure I can find someone else who'll like it, though, and for $10 I'm more than happy with the other four!

Ratings:
Packaging: 5/5
Product quality: 4/5
Worth the price? Super good deal.
Would I purchase again? I'll probably get some of these things again in the future, and would definitely re-purchase the set as a gift. **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.

MAC - Eyeshadow in Wedge

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

This is one of the three shadows I use almost every single day (without yet coming near hitting pan after nearly a year, I might add!!). It is a muted light brown matte shade, one you will see used in makeup tutorials again and again - and there's a good reason why! It's great in the crease when paired with light colours on my light colouring, but works just as well as the lid colour with a darker shade in the crease.

I'm not sure how this would work on darker skintones - it doesn't show up strongly and is matte, so I'd imagine it wouldn't work very well. But for my NW20 skintone it is fantastic. I haven't really found anything I couldn't make it work with. I'd highly recommend picking this one up if you haven't already - I know it's one I'll always re-purchase!

Ratings:
Packaging: 4/5
Product quality: 5/5
Worth the price? Definitely!
Would I purchase again? I can't imagine not having this one in my collection.

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

Where to find it: MAC in store and online (available in individual container and refill pans). 

MAC Big Bounce Mousse Eyeshadows

  Photo: Temptalia. I didn't buy them all so I can't take a photo of all of them! Click image to visit her site and read her review!

I was super excited when I first saw these on the MAC website. I thought, cool, cream shadows in pots that are easier to spread than the paint pots! I'm in! 

Not so much. These look great in the jar, and they do spread easily - but there's nothing there, even when you've applied several layers! And they are so very liquidy that it's really hard to build the colour at all because they take FOR-FRIKEN-EVER to dry! 

Now, that said, if you're someone who likes to apply makeup so-natural-it's-not-even-there, you will probably go crazy for these. They do add a bit of subtle shimmer to the lid that can be quite pretty on a nearly-neutral day. I just don't think it's worth spending that much for, personally. The only way I've found to make them work is as a base under a similar colour of shadow - and they do a decent job of lasting most of the day crease-free. Not all day and into the evening, however. 

I also find the packaging to be irritating - they're in the same pots as the paint pots only with a plastic cover because they go EVERYWHERE. Their consistency reminds me of Too Faced Shadow Insurance (and their similar cream shadows that I think have been discontinued) - and I found myself wondering why, oh why, didn't they just put them in a tube? It's so hard to get the right amount on your finger with this packaging. I also worry that because they're so very liquidy bacteria will breed more quickly leading to possible eye infections - so using a clean brush or freshly washed and squeaky-clean finger to apply these is a must.

 

 These are the ones I got. Top left to bottom right: Count Your Assets, Rich Thrills, 

Spread the Wealth, Trophy, Sizzlin' Diva and Rich, Sweet.

 See what I mean about the lids? Absolute disaster.  

 Top Row

 Bottom Row

If you've got money to burn and are curious, by all means give them a go. Just don't be too disappointed if you're not quite sure why you bothered.

Ratings:
Packaging: 4.5/5
Product quality: 3/5
Worth the price? Maybe.
Would I purchase again? No.

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

Where to Find It: MAC in store and online.