Unfinished Business! 5/13

My Unfinished Business posts are typically random and uncategorized, but this one actually has a theme! Today's roundup of product reviews is the "New at the Drugstore" edition, all about items from the latest displays I've seen in my Duane Reade. I've already reviewed the new Revlon Lash Potion Grow Luscious mascara (post), so these are the other bits from my little haul.

Garnier Fructis Volume Extend Dry Shampoo: As a dry shampoo fanatic, I have something of an obsession with trying every single drugstore dry shampoo (post). I've been testing out this Garnier one for a few weeks now, and it's firmly ranked in the "mediocre" section of the dry shampoos the drugstore has to offer. It's not any more volumizing than the standard dry shampoo, and it's difficult to fully blend into the hair. It feels slightly wet, so the product tends to cling to the hair, making it harder to rub in. The biggest problem is that it doesn't make my hair look completely clean. My roots still look clean overall, but if you look closely it looks faintly dirty--like I've just tried to cover up the grease (which I have). That might sound ridiculous, but other dry shampoo pros will know what I'm talking about! If you're in the market for a cheap dry shampoo, skip this one and pick up a can of Batiste--you won't be sorry. 

Shade is Pango Peach

Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss: I raved about the original Super Lustrous glosses in one of my first Cheapie but Goodie posts (link), and I'm happy to say that these new formulas are even better. There's a certain kind of lushness with these new glosses that the old version doesn't have--these babies feel incredibly comfortable and almost moisturizing on the lips. They're also not quite as thick and even less sticky, which my constantly wind-blown hair really appreciates. Pango Peach isn't terribly pigmented, but I'm not sure it's supposed to be, as some of the old Super Lustrous shades run on the sheer side. This range might not be best if you're looking for an opaque lip, but shades like Pango Peach definitely provide enough color. I've noticed that the old formula glosses aren't as easy to find anymore, and if they're being replaced by these new ones, that's just fine with me!

Revlon PhotoReady Kajal Eyeliner/Brightener: These double-ended pencils have a dark color and a light color on each side, presumably meant to define the upper lashes and brighten the lower. It comes in different colors (some are navy and beige), but I went with the traditional black and white combo. White on the waterline isn't nearly as natural as a beige color, but I wanted to test the longevity of the black side for tight-lining. Kajal pencils are creamier than a traditional eyeliner, and since creamier = poorer staying power, I tend to spring for waxier pencils. Really anything has a difficult time staying on my waterline, and this product held up slightly worse than the average pencil. Both ends were terrifically pigmented and went on fabulously, but neither made it past the three hour mark. The black end transferred to my lower waterline almost immediately, and I had to keep wiping at it. The white end wore off very patchily, but the black side managed to hold onto the edge of the lashes for a bit longer, so it retained the look of some definition. Ultimately, any trace of the pencil was gone after four hours of wear. I love the idea of this double-ended pencil, but it just doesn't deliver the staying power that I need. (Sidenote: if anyone was thinking about using the white end to clean up transfer from the black, don't--you'll just end up with a gray waterline). 

Wednesday's post will be a Mascara Experimentation featuring the new Diorshow OverCurl. 

That is, if I can make it through my exams for the next two days.

Happy Monday!

NOTW: Julep Rebecca + Essie Stroke of Brilliance

This is actually my first Julep nail polish, despite how long I've been looking at these babies in Sephora. Something about the size and shape of the bottle kept pulling me towards their display, but I didn't really feel like their colors were distinctive or unusual, until I spotted Rebecca last week.

You know by now that I'm a sucker for blue polish, but this creamy pastel is unlike anything I've worn before. I don't know how it's possible for a pastel, light nail polish to be so bold, but Rebecca pulls it off. It's a beautifully rich cornflower blue with a splash of periwinkle that comes together in such a striking way.

Of course, that may have to do with the coolness of the color contrasting so sharply with my warm, yellowy skin. This is not the kind of nail polish that flatters my skin tone--in fact, it makes my hands look a little jaundice and dirty. I almost felt compelled to remove it the first day I wore it out, but it really started to grow on me after a couple of days. Despite how unflattering it is on me, there's just something about this color that feels special and unusual, and not even sickly-looking skin is going to stop me from wearing it. (I actually think this would be a good pedicure color to make your feet look extra tan, and perk up any nude/silver sandals).

I don't really know anything about Julep, but based solely off Rebecca, they've nailed their pigmentation. One coat was almost perfectly opaque, so two really went above and beyond in the pigmentation department. The polish feels a little thicker than most, which might be why the color went on so nicely, with no streaks in sight. It's not very shiny, so those of you who like a glossy finish will want to use a top coat. Surprisingly, this polish actually did chip on me towards the end of the week. It was minor, but nail polish hardly never chips on me so I was a bit disappointed. I'll continue to look into their range of polishes, but at $14 a bottle and potential chipping, I'm not sure if I would purchase--it would depend a lot on the color.

I'm not quite sure if I prefer the shape of the Julep bottle to that of a traditional nail polish, but I do appreciate their efforts to make it easy to store. They've included a few clever designs to make it clear what color is inside, no matter how you choose to store it. Good thought, but it still feels strange to apply nail polish out of what could be a lip gloss tube.

No updates this week (again). Finals have taken over and between the papers and exams, I'm surprised I was able to stick with my blogging schedule this week.

I picked up a slew of new drugstore goodies recently, so you'll be seeing those reviews in an Unfinished Business post come Monday. Spoiler alert: I'll be reviewing the new Garnier dry shampoo. 

Hope you're enjoying the weekend!

Mascara Experimentation: Revlon Lash Potion by Grow Luscious

I don't typically have good results with Revlon mascaras (I hated their original Grow Luscious), but I saw this tube in its bright, pretty colors and that was enough for me to give it a try. I haven't done a Mascara Experimentation post in a while, so for those of you who have forgotten what my finicky lashes are like, here's a refresher:

I have stick-straight, long, but very wispy lashes, so my ideal mascara must absolutely hold my Shu lash curler-generated curl, give me some volume and definition without clumping, and be waterproof and relatively smudge-free.

A tall order, and between my previous experience with Revlon mascaras and the packaging description, I was skeptical. The non-waterproof Lash Potion is specifically meant to provide "spell-binding" volume and length, which isn't the kind of formula I typically go for. Not only was curling not listed as one of its qualities, but volumizing formulas almost always weigh down my lashes and pull out the curl.

Fingers crossed, the testing began after a few clamps of my beloved Shu Uemura lash curler.

One coat of the Revlon Grow Luscious Lash Potion, and...

Color me surprised! The curl only dropped ever-so-slightly, but for the most part, the shape of my lashes was maintained. They still looked light and weren't clumpy (though they weren't feathery), but what I couldn't get over is how much longer my lashes looked. Lengthening formulas typically have zero effect on me, but Lash Potion seems to actually deliver in that department. 

Still, the mascara hadn't quite passed the test. That picture was taken right after application, and depending on the formula, some mascaras will cause my curl to fall even more throughout the day.

This was my end of the day lash look.

Womp, womp. I like my eyelashes to be so curled that they almost point up to the ceiling, and eight hours after application, they were nowhere near there. There's definitely still some curl, but if you look at my outer corner lashes, they're significantly droopier. It feels like a small detail, but the corner lashes are really what give your eyes life, and my small eyes need all the help and lift they can get.

This mascara also isn't very natural in terms of the lushness of the lashes. While I don't feel like they looked clumpy, there's a small window of build-ability before they start to look heavy. Two coats is fine, but three is where you really start to see the product sitting on the eyelashes. I'm willing to forgive that aspect, though, as Lash Potion never claims to be natural. 

I did my concealer as usual, and still had some considerable smudging towards the end of the day. But I'm not sure it's entirely the mascara's fault, as anything non-waterproof (and even some waterproof formulas) smudge on my oily skin. That being said, Revlon ought to make this in a waterproof formula, especially as the humid summer months approach.

The Lash Potion brush is unusual (it's called the Illusionist Wand), as it's fairly large and weirdly shaped. It's a tri-faceted, almost trapezoidal shape, but there's no change in the bristles from one side to another so I don't know what the thought was there. It's bigger than the brushes I'm used to, so you'll want to be extra careful applying this to your lower lashes, though it's not a big deal with the upper set.

Bottom line: Despite its fun packaging, Lash Potion is nothing special. Again, as someone who really focuses on the curl my lashes have, it's not something I could wear on a typical day (without having to curl my lashes midday or something), but it's fine for days off. I could probably make it suit my needs if I wanted to, but that would involve a lot of touching up and re-curling, and why bother if other products do it better? Of course, mascara is probably the most subjective type of makeup, and I imagine anyone with sturdier, less-straight lashes might really enjoy this.

As for me, I'll be sticking with my Shu Uemura Ultimate Natural!

If you want to see more of my Mascara Experimentations, just click on the tag at the bottom of this post.

Hope you're well!

The Original Tangle Teezer vs. Goody Tangle Fix

Left: Goody Tangle Fix, Right: Tangle Teezer

Unless you've been living under a virtual rock, you'll have heard all about the Tangle Teezers by now (especially if you live in the UK). Created by Brit Shaun P, they were considered a sort of phemonemon when they first came out, as the likes of these plastic brushes had never been seen before. Part of the hype undoubtedly came from how strange it was for such a terrible-looking hairbrush to work so well. The ultimate success of the Tangle Teezer is in how well it untangles and smoothes out hair, with absolutely minimal pain and maximum ease--no damaging tugging or pulling involved.

Given its popularity and success, it was really only a matter of time before a knockoff came out.

Meet the Goody Tangle Fix, a new part of the company's range that you can pick up for $8 at your local drugstore. Between its name and basic design, it couldn't be more obvious that it's a Tangle Teezer wannabe.

But the imitation is not exactly successful.

At first glance, the two brushes are extremely similar. Coloring aside, both have a mixture of longer and shorter plastic bristles and a smooth, curvy shape. In terms of basic design, the Tangle Teezer is the clear winner here, as its shape is ergonomically designed and fits very comfortably in the hand. The Tangle Fix looks like it was curved for purely aesthetic purposes, as it's somewhat awkward to hold.

Both are incredibly lightweight (no doubt made out of hollowed plastic), but it's the differences in bristles that ultimately make these two brushes different. The Tangle Teezer's bristles are longer, and though it's only slightly so, it makes a difference when you're trying to brush through thick hair. Though it's dizzying to work out, the Teezer has a clear pattern of long and short bristles intermixed, with an interchanging row of each going horizontally and vertically. The Tangle Fix mimics that pattern, but for some reason, throws in a few rows of middle-length bristles down the center of the brush. The Tangle Teezer's bristles are also a bit blunted over so they don't scratch the scalp, whereas the Fix's bristles end in a point and feel sharp against the head.

I know it sounds like I'm nitpicking, but the Tangle Fix doesn't perform as well as the Tangle Teezer, and the bristles are the reason(s) why. Using Goody's version always means more pain and having to go over my hair with a few more strokes to make sure all the tangles are out. With the Tangle Teezer, there might be the odd cringeworthy knot here or there, but it brushes through in a stroke or two, and I can go from root to tip with ease. 

If the ultimate goal of these brushes is to detangle the hair as quickly and painlessly as possible, then the Tangle Teezer is the clear winner. The Goody Tangle Fix still detangles my hair, but it doesn't do it in a particularly comfortable way--it lacks all the finesse of the original product. Plus, the extra strokes involved probably mean more tugging on (and potentially damaging) my hair. 

I'd like to just compare product to product, but of course, accessibility and price are factors here as well.  The Tangle Teezer has to be ordered online if you live outside of the UK, and the cheapest I've found it is on FeelUnique, for $17 with free delivery. (Update: a lovely reader commented that you can actually get the Teezers at Sally's Beauty Supply and Urban Outfitters, so you might not need to go the online route). 

If you don't have particularly tangly hair and just want to try a new kind of hairbrush, the Goody Tangle Fix could do just fine. But a hairbrush is something you'll be using regularly, and especially if you have unruly hair, it should be something that does the job well. I say spring for the extra nine dollars and get a brush that does something special, instead of saving a few bucks for an unworthy imitation.

Nice try, Goody, but you've only proven that the knockoff will never be as good as the original!

Happy Monday!

NOTW: Sinful Colors Island Coral

I've found the perfect spring nail color.

Spring is unofficially coral season, and I've been looking for a shade like this for weeks now with no success. Instead, I've come up with corals that are too orange and don't sit well on my warm, yellowy skin. 

Island Coral is just right. I'm not even sure I would call it a coral (that word always makes me think of reddish oranges), as this looks more like a warm citrusy-blush. 

This is one of those colors that is perfect because of everything that it's not. Island Coral isn't too loud, too orange, too pink, or too shimmery. I love that this shade comes in a creme finish because you can really appreciate the depth of the color without any distractions in texture getting in the way.

Having this color on my nails all week has prompted some extra smiling--a standard side effect of wearing bright, happy colors. Part of the reason I'm so infatuated with this shade is that something about my coloring works beautifully with it. It's not just a pretty polish, it's a polish that really flatters and makes the most of my skin tone. 

In case you didn't get the gist, I'm in love with this color, which is why I'm horribly frustrated that Sinful Colors slacked on the formula with this one. I've had good experiences with all of their nail polishes until now, so I was almost shocked when two coats of Island Coral looked streaky and patchy. I sprung for a third coat (which is what you see in the picture), but of course, the additional layer caused that gooping up around the edges. 

It wasn't uncomfortable to feel on my nails, but I could definitely see it, and there's nothing like visibly piled on polish to ruin a manicure.

This is yet another case of a consistently good nail polish brand turning out a shoddy formula in the one color I fall head-over-heels in love with.

I'll get you for this, Universe.

I'll get you.

Cheapie but Goodie: CoverGirl Flamed Out Shadow Pencils

Around $8

I'm sure you're sick to death of hearing about drugstore eye shadow pencils, but trust me, this one is worth the read. 

There are a lot of pencils like these on the market these days, but I've found problems with every one of them. The Milani ones crease horrendously on me (post) and Rimmel's color selection isn't suited to the type of product (post), so I'm pleased to say that CoverGirl has done well with these babies.

I have particularly high standards when it comes to eye shadow pencils, because when something is meant to be incredibly convenient (like any pencil makeup should be) the product shouldn't require any extra steps or trouble, like priming the lid or layering a shadow on top. CoverGirl clearly feels the same, since they've just about nailed these shadow pencils.

I picked up 350, a warm, shimmery sandy-bronze perfect for sweeping over the lid. There's a surprisingly large color selection of these products, but with any shadow pencil, it's important to have one-shade-does-it-all colors like 350. Pigmentation is great, with one swipe giving you good but not intense color, and another pass providing a darker, more saturated shade. This color in particular is very build-able, with one swipe wearing well as a soft, daytime look, and another few layers basically taking on the form of a bronze smokey eye. Can anyone say day-to-night?!

The pencil can feel a bit hard and waxy across the lid at first, but after a few uses it becomes soft and easy to work with. I found that any difficulty with the pencil was completely gone after I sharpened it, so it's likely an outer layer issue.  

To test longevity, I wore 350 with a primer underneath on one eye, and the pencil by itself on the other. The eye with the primer looked absolutely perfect after 12 hours, but the eye without started to crease on me around hour 7. It was fairly mild creasing, and it didn't look any worse around hour 12, so I actually wouldn't mind wearing this without primer. The Maybelline Color Tattoos crease on me in a very similar way, and I can't usually be bothered to wear a primer with those, either. It's worth noting that I have extremely oily eyelids, so depending on your skin type, you may not need a primer at all. (Shaking my fist at dry-skinned girls!)

Normally I'd gripe about having to sharpen pencils, but in this case, I'm glad it's not a twist-up. These pencils are a good size and diameter--large enough to cover the lid easily, but still narrow enough for a more precise line at the lower lashes. A twist-up pencil wouldn't be able to retain a sharp enough point for under-eye work. That being said, you'll need a larger pencil sharpener for these--the larger hole of my Sephora one works pretty well, though it's still a bit big.

You know how attached I am to the Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze, but lately, I've been reaching for 350 instead. I love the color of Bad to the Bronze and absolutely prefer it, but the pencil is just so much easier to work with. If I want to take Bad to the Bronze under my eye, I have to use a brush (it feels like a much bigger deal in the early mornings), whereas 350 is pure pencil and finger-blending.

Even with the wildly uncreative names (is there anything more boring than numbered colors?) and mild creasing problem, these pencils are now my favorite, everyday eyeshadow. 

I haven't investigated their other colors, but I'm hoping there are more wear-alone shades like 350 Sandy Bronze. 

I didn't see a pencil version of Bad to the Bronze at the display, but a girl can dream, right?

Happy Wednesday!

A Day in Pictures: Springtime Family Barbecue

I haven't done a Day in Pictures post in ages, but this barbecue was so fabulously photogenic that I just couldn't resist. For you beauty junkies, I'll be back with the cosmetics on Wednesday!

Warning: This post contains material of a highly glutinous nature. Snacking while reading is strongly encouraged.

Last weekend, my cousins and I got together and had a barbecue for the very best kind of reason--"just because."

The weather had just started to turn nice, so my uncle's backyard--with freshly opened pool--was the perfect spring-appropriate place.

Especially with the company of some very precious dogs.

Of course, any get-together with my family means the real focus is on the food. We started with some grilled vegetables...

Followed up with some seafood...

Including my cousin Vicky's kickass shrimp (her severe shellfish allergy isn't enough to stop her from eating it!)

Someone tried to sneak a bite or two....

But we had everything under control in time for tacos (no less than three kinds!).

Fish (I believe it was tilapia or halibut)

Chicken

Thai peanut satay made them extra delicious!

And shrimp (there's no such thing as too much shrimp in this family)

We were all starting to feel a bit full by that point (shocking, I know!) so we took some time to whip up a few margaritas, throw around a football, and play with the doggies in the sunshine.

I went on a quick bike ride, but I vowed long ago that no one would ever see pictures of me performing any kind of physical activity.

When everyone felt ready for burgers, the grill was fired up again. 

Literally.

We quickly assembled our burgers, making sure to include a good smear of freshly made garlic aioli along with our toppings of choice.

Et voila!

We milled around for hours, eating, drinking and blasting the deck speakers. It would have been a perfect time to go swimming, but the water was absolutely frigid, so we settled for a few rounds of Cards Against Humanity instead. If you're not familiar with it, it's basically a hilariously vulgar version of Apples to Apples, made all the more fun if you're tipsy.

I hated the idea of going home, but entirely too soon it was time to pack up and return to reality--and a load of schoolwork.

I was fully prepared to nap for the drive back to the city, but not before I stole some green tea Kit-Kats for the road!

It was an absolutely perfect day, and my cousins and I are already planning for our next barbecue. 

I hope your weekend was just as lovely, and the rest of the week follows suit!

A post on the new CoverGirl eye shadow pencils will be up Wednesday!