L'OREAL CONSUMER TESTING COMPENSATION!

A few weeks ago I posted a review of the L'oreal consumer testing program (click here for the blog post), which allows you to test products and recieve free beauty products as compensation. This is the compnsation that I reicieved for completing a series of three nail surveys. It stated that there would be a compensation of SIX luxury products, but included EIGHT because of a mix-up that occurred with panelist IDs and password info. You have just got to love L'oreal for this! You should definitely check out this program, although, keep in mind that compensation varies with each product test/survey.

Here's a list of the products that I recieved:

From left to right

Vichy Captital Soleil Sunscreen (SPF 50, Lightweight Foaming Lotion)
Lancome Visionnaire
Lancome Hypnose Star Mascara
Lancome Artliner - Noir
Lancome Color Design Palette - Emerald  Boudoir
Lancome Huile Douceur Deep Cleansing Oil
Lancome Savon Fraichelle Gel Body Cleanser
Kiels Calendula Herbal Toner

I didn't do the calculations myself, but I hear the retail value is around $300.

BIG SEXY HAIR SAMPLE REVISITED

Sooo..... I tested this product on three separate occasions to ensure an accurate review. Let's just say that I now understand the so-so review history of this product. The day I had my hair curled, the curls fell as soon as I stepped outside--this product didn't stand a chance when faced with Florida's horrendous humidity. The two days that my hair was just simply straightened, nothing really happened. The one redeeming aspect of this product is the fact that it keeps your hair from frizzing out and adds just a smidgen of shine. It's not the most impressive thing out there but it's not bad....

IPSY BAG JULY 2013

My overall rating is 4/5

Ipsy is a monthly beauty subscription service that delivers deluxe size samples and full size beauty products straight to your door. You will typically get abut 4-5 products along with a cosmetic bag, once a month, for $10. Shipping and handling included. Your credit card will be billed on the first of every month but you can cancel your subscription at anytime. Expect your bag in the middle of each month.

I've heard a lot of great reviews about this company really stepping up their game in the past six months and decided to join in. This is my first bag from them that I PERSONALLY PURCHASED MYSELF. Below I will include pictures as well as my first impressions of each product. I'll update these later after I've actually really used the products.

I was so excited about all of these products! Although I decided to subscribe only after having seen the Benetint spoiler, because it's something I've been wanting to try it for so long.

Benetint by Benefit. This is the sample size version which is about half of the amount you would get in the full size bottle. I really like this product on my cheeks. It gave me a really pretty, barely noticeable, glow, which I believe is the purpose of blush. It's impossible to put too much since this stain is difficult to layer. I tried it on my lips and was severely disappointed. I could only get the stain to stick to the inner portion of my lips. Am I doing something wrong here? This stuff is watery and dries fast so work quick. Just saying.

Big Sexy Hair Weather Proof humidity resistant hairspray. I haven't tried it yet. I'll put this product to the test on Sunday. Let's see if it can endure Florida's humidity. (50ml)

Here are three different samples of bhcosmetics eye shadows from three different collections. The purple is from the Hollywood collection. The bronze looking color (middle) is from the San Francisco collection. The gold is from the Malibu collection. Malibu is the most pigmented of the three. They are all three very pretty, shimmery, colors  although I was hoping for more pigmentation from the Hollywood color. I'm excited to use the gold and the purple in a look that I have in mind.

The retractable Pouty Pop Crayon from POP Beauty in Coral Crush. This is a full size product. This is the second product I was most excited about. I was hoping to get the Fuchsia Flirt but this one is a pretty color as well. It's very smooth, moisturizing and highly pigmented. Overall, I'm satisfied; it's a great shade for the summertime. When applied is looks somewhat matte with a hint of shine.

 The last product is the COOLA unscented mineral sunscreen (SPF20) moisturizer. (7ml) I'll let you know what I think after I've worn it for a day. I don't really have any expectations for this product since it's just a moisturizer. I'll let you guys know if it's greasy or not.

Here's a link to the www.ipsy.com website. This is NOT a referral link.

FREE MASCARA

Occasionally, various product companies will offer some sort of giveaway via their Facebook page. So if you have a Facebook, you might want to try "liking" some of their pages--you want the latest updates from them because you never know when they'll have some sort of giveaway. I just received this Milani mascara in the mail last week for a giveaway that happened about three weeks ago.

Here's a list of some companies I "like" on Facebook (that I've personally won products from):

Milani
Aquaphor
Pantene
Aussie
VO5
Nivea
Physician's Formula
Herbal Essences
Conair

STAY IN THE KNOW

I Love Free Things, is my favorite go-to website for the latest freebies and samples available. It is constantly updated throughout the day as new offers become available. They are legitimate. I have been referring to this site for a year now and I've yet to see any scams posted. You can Google search other people's experience with the site. I personally love it. Most of the samples and freebies I've ever received have been made known to be by this site.

Check out the website here.

COVERGIRL CLEAN OIL CONTROL PRESSED POWDER

Picture source

I bought this product in the Oil-Control (blue label/container) and I am so glad that I did. Though I do really have dry skin, it has a tendency to become tremendously oily--and fast. I'm not really a huge foundation person so after my moisturizer, this is the product that I use on a daily basis. It gets rid of all the unwanted shine in my T-zone area and gives me a really fresh matte look at the end. I've never really completed my look for the day without this product and it's ideal for touch-ups when my skins starts becoming oily again. Not sure how, but it really does do its job of absorbing all the unwanted oiliness.

Not to mention, I absolute adore the plastic (glass-looking) packaging, it's so cute and it come with a quality powder puff that's definitely NOT limp and flimsy like a lot of other ones. It really lasts and doesn't fall apart on you. This product lasts for a really long time too, I've had it for a few months now and the bottom isn't even visible yet. My favorite part about this product is that you can really layer on as much as you want without getting that super powdery/ashy look. 

If you're on the fence, I would definitely encourage you to buy it. It's totally worth the seven bucks if you can find it in your color.

L'OREAL USA CONSUMER TESTING

Since I am currently a part of one of L'Oreal USA's product studies, I figure I should give you guys a review of the program itself.

Here's a quick rundown, though it's basically self explanatory. You sign-up and complete a fairly extensive survey about you. Based upon the answers that you have chosen they will match you up with:

• Informational surveys (these don't get you into a product study but when you've completed five of these, expect some mystery product in the mail as compensation.)
• Some of these will actually offer immediate compensation upon completion--some mystery product(s).

• Pre-qualification surveys (these do NOT qualify you, necessarily, for a study but it serves to weed out the individuals that they do want to send a product study survey to. There is no compensation for this.)

• Product study surveys (these are going to determine whether or not you get to be a part of one of their studies. Allow me to warn you now that these are sometimes hard to get into because they are very specific with their criteria. If they are looking for a woman in her twenties with severe acne and oily skin, they will only accept such persons; if you don't fit what they're looking for, you will be disqualified from the study. These can get frustrating but if you stick to it, you'll probably get into a few studies within a year.)

You can participate:

• From your own home and have products mailed to you (what I do)
• Visit one of their testing centers from 7:30am-5:00pm
• Clark, New Jersey
• Solon, Ohio

They do not offer monetary compensation. Only some sort of product. So far I've received a lot of beauty and skincare products. Thus the reason why I LOVE this program! :)

Here is a link if you would like to sign up. There is more information posted on their website. Click here.

GOT2B SMOOTH OPERATOR

Color me disappointed. Anyone that knows me personally will know that I am a huge product junkie. I can't turn down any new or interesting looking product, especially when it comes to hair. I've heard nothing but good things about this product from various sources online. Well imagine my excitement when I discover this at my local Walgreens. There was only one left in stock and the price was something around 5-6 dollars, so I jumped on it.

Here's some info on me. I have collar bone length relaxed hair. My hair is very thick and always dry. I was looking for a stand-alone leave-in conditioner that would keep my hair soft and frizz free until it had dried. Then I would continue with my regular hair routine for styling.

I did have some high expectations, I'll admit. However, with that aside, it just didn't do anything for me. I tried putting anywhere from a nickel-sized amount to a huge dollop. Still nothing. My hair still felt dry and unmanageable. The smell is very light and pleasant so I wanted so bad for it to work, but it didn't. I'm now reviewing this product after having used up about 90% of the bottle. So I've tried just about everything. The only good use I've found for it was layering it under my Hawaiian Silky. The two together produced an okay result.

Overall I'm giving this product a C+. The smell is good and it's not heavy or oily. I just don't want to have to layer a bunch of leave-ins to achieve my desired result.

SCHICK HYDRO SILK

Whoop! I requested this free sample about a week ago and it's already here. This was one of those texting offers where it's done through your cell phone. Here's the link you can check to see if there are anymore available. Just text the word, as instructed, to the 5 digit number and you should get a text back, if there are more samples left, on the next steps to follow. Very quick and easy. Razor sample. 

I can already tell you that I love this product because I've received a sample of this back in August of 2012, from Walmart.com. This razor has a very sturdy gel-like handle which keeps it from slipping out of your hands in the shower. Also, it claims to have a "water-activated moisturizing serum" which I love because it totally eliminated the need for shaving cream for me (until the serum runs out; serum lasts about 3-4 weeks). It glides smoothly on the skin and doesn't tug on it. Some people may be intimidated by the five blades but there really is no need to be. It just serves to give you the closest shave possible, not to mutilate your legs. 

Personally, I love this product and it's the best razor I've ever used. My favorite part about it is that it comes with so many blades. I have always been frustrated by some of the other razors that only came with a measly two or three blades, which never quite cut it for me (haha-get it?). 

Here's where the college student budget thing comes into play: Once the serum has finished you can try using hair conditioner to shave with. It gives you an even closer shave than shaving cream. This gives you more use out of your razor before you need to go and purchase another cartridge. Works like a charm. 

WELCOME!

Hello everyone!

First and foremost allow me to express my appreciation of your spending the time to read through my blog. I am incredibly grateful.  I am not the most eloquent writer in the world but I'll do my best to provide thorough and realistic reviews from my honest point of view. (The perspective of an African-American woman with relaxed hair and a college student budget.) I will be writing reviews on mostly cosmetics, skincare and hair-care products. These will all just be my own opinion and I am not getting paid by anyone to do any of this. I've just got a lot of time on my hands and I've decided to pick this up as a hobby. I might s well since I'm always testing out different products. My only desire is that you, the reader, will benefit from my own personal experiences. I know how helpful consulting different opinions can be when it comes to trying out new products. Hope this helps!

Anjuhleen