Alba Botanica TerraGloss

January 31, 2008

I’m a big fan of Alba Botanica products, especially their coconut cream natural lip balm (see Beauty and Fashion Tech review). So I had no issues spending my last few bucks of the week on an Alba Botanica TerraGloss.

This all natural, shimmering, mineral color gloss manages to pack a pretty good punch of color. With shea butter and various oils, it moisturizes pretty good as well. I got the color “blaze,” which is a nice brownish red, but in hindsight it isn’t quit the right shade for me since I have cool toned, very pale skin.The gloss has a vanilla flavor and smell. This is obviously a bonus if you like vanilla. Not so much if you don’t. I’m personally not a big vanilla lover, so I probably should have checked out the label before I bought the gloss. Regardless, it is a perfectly respectable all natural moisturizing gloss and it is particularly good for those who love vanilla. I found mine at CVS for around $6.

Shop for more Alba Botanica products

Written by Carleenp · Filed Under Gloss, Natural/Organic

Smashbox O-Gloss

January 30, 2008

Smashbox has just released Smashbox O-Gloss, a lip version of their O-Glow blush that supposedly adjusts to your perfect color.

I was a bit surprised at the release. First off, these products do not somehow magically read your skin tone and adjust to your perfect shade. Instead, they simply change color when applied, and present the same shade for everyone. It doesn’t know squat about your natural skin shade or your best color. That had gotten fairly well reported back when O-Glow blush was released. See, for example, The Beauty Brain’s post: Why Smashbox Should Be Ashamed of O-Glow Blush.Second, the blush version routinely had poor blog reviews because the shade it changed to was not really flattering for many people (although I know of a few who really liked the shade). For a good description, see Beauty Addict’s review of the blush. It was heavily advertised though, and I suppose that the concept went over well with the consumer, leading to the creation of the lip version.

So of course I was skeptical about this one. At $22, and knowing that a bunch of other bloggers were not keen on the blush, I sure as heck was not going to buy this to review it. But my local Ulta store carries Smashbox, so I ducked in to see what it was like using the sample in the store.

Sure enough, Smashbox O-Gloss turns the same shade if you put it on your lips, your hand, or even on paper. With that said, the color is not an obnoxious fusia shade like the O-Glow blush is–something else that I verified while at Ulta. Instead, the shade is a delicate light pink that I rather liked. The color shown in the photo is pretty accurate in terms of the color of the gloss. It also is nicely shiny.

I like Smashbox gloss in general, so I suppose if you can get past the gimmicky claim that O-Gloss adjusts to your skin tone and you are looking for a nice baby pink gloss, it is worth checking out. Smashbox also makes great lip glosses of the normal everyday variety.

Shop for Smashbox Cosmetics

Written by Carleenp · Filed Under Gloss, Unique

A Lip Plumper that Actually Works! Freeze 24/7 Tinted

January 28, 2008

Long ago, back when Beauty and Fashion Tech was young, I wrote about the clear version of freeze 24/7 lip plumper. At that time, I thought it showed a bit of plumping. Not much, but at least some, and usually I experience none with such products. In fact, I liked it so much, that I included it in my best products of 2007.

But I always worried that as much I loved the product that I imagined any plumping. When it comes to the tinted version I know that it is real, no false hopes stimulating my imagination with this one! Yes! The tinted version, Freeze 24/7 Mini PlumpLips IceSticksactually worked when I tried it!

I initially ordered a tinted Freeze 24/7 simply because even if there is no plumping, I love how the stuff feels and it gives a nice shine. It tingles more than any other plumper out there. So I wanted to get some with a bit of color because I like girly pink lips. I ordered the shade windchill, with is a peachy/pink shade, that looks a bit orange in the tube but goes on much more on the pink side than the coral or peach side.

I liked the shade, but I loved the plumping. To my amazement, my lips did what they were supposed to. They swelled up and looked visibly fuller. I was so happy that I ran around screeching, which made my dog go as nuts as I was (am)!

The only downside to Freeze 24/7 is the price, but Spalook.com has it a bit cheaper than some other places. The temptation is huge for me to go buy a few more shades!

Shop for Freeze 24/7 Cosmetics

Written by Carleenp · Filed Under Gloss, Plumpers

Girl Gloss is Nominated For a Fabbie Award!

January 28, 2008

I was quite happy and surprised to learn that Girl Gloss had been nominated for a Fabbie Award. These blog awards are sponsored by some great fashion and beauty blogs and media.

To vote for Girl Gloss, head on over to fabbies.org and vote. Registration is required to vote (it is a safe site registration wise, no spam worries).

Written by Carleenp · Filed Under Misc.

Weekend Blog Roundup From The Beauty Blog Network

January 26, 2008

Here, for your weekend reading are some of the weeks best posts from around the Beauty Blog Network.

Canadian Beauty tells you about Clinique’s newest mascara, Clinique Lash Power.
15 Minute Beauty Fanatic checks out Pattern Body Washes and loves them!
The Beauty of Life falls head over heels for Estee Lauder’s new Re-Nutriv Ultimate Youth Creme!
Pursebuzz.com takes a special visit to Stila Cosmetics. Check out what she is loving!
Check out what Kyle carries around in her new Juicy Couture purse at Face Candy.
Beauty and Personal Grooming shares some pore shrinking mask recipes.
Bionic Beauty found a Freebie! Joico’s K-PAK “Rescue Your Hair” kit.
Beauty and Fashion Tech has swatches and looks from the M.A.C. Cosmetics N Collection.
Girl Gloss takes an in depth look at the lip products in the M.A.C. N collection.
Stylish Opinion gives her opinion about the latest perfume from Paris Hilton. Does she like or not?
The Beauty Blog Network proudly announces it’s newest members!! Find out who they are….
Elke’s Fabulous! Well, the Fabbie Awards thinks so. She’s nominated for a best beauty blog Fabbie Award along with other fab beauty bloggers. Vote for your favorites here!
Makeup Moxie says goodbye to the Posh Bob.
A Touch of Blusher can’t live without this cleansing oil.
Beauty Banter gives you a play-by-play on How To Wear Red…
Savvy Skin tells you Why My Hair Is Now A Frizzy Mess!
The Muse reviews, shares photos, and gives first impressions of the Dior Spring 2008 Collection!
Temptalia has over forty different lip color combinations–you’re bound to find one to like!
makeup loves me wants to give you $100 in mac products from the n collection.
Glossypink gets amped for the weekend and reveals her favorite party eyeshadow!
Enter Spoiled Pretty’s latest giveaway, sponsored by Mother’s Nature Soaps!
Beauty Anonymous found the power of beauty and fashion from Harper’s Bazzar - the Politics of Fashion.
Karen from Makeup and Beauty Blog does a step-by-step makeup tutorial honoring her favorite pop star of all time, Madonna, with help from MAC Russian Red Lipstick.

Written by Carleenp · Filed Under Links and Roundups

Tarte Lip Sheer, SPF 15

January 25, 2008

It is light, sheer, comfortable, and has a great light tint. What could make it even better? How about adding SPF 15! It is the Tarte 24.7 lip sheer SPF 15.