the end is where I begin

Here are my current five favorite beauty products.  All of them are pretty amazing!

1. Lancome CILS BOOSTER XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base (long-winded, isn't it?)

This product is pretty cool since it has fibers suspended in a primer which thicken and lengthen your lashes.  I also noticed that I don't get panda eyes from wearing mascara when I have this on.  I wore it yesterday and after trekking across campus in the afternoon sun and heat...no panda eyes!  Even though I wear waterproof mascara, I still get panda eyes due to my oily skin (even with using eyeshadow primer)...but not any more!  I got this as a sample from Sephora, but I don't know about buying it...it is pretty pricey at $23!

2. Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Whiskey

I got the travel size in my UD Midnight Cowboy Junkie set.  It's surprisingly the first neutral colored eye pencil I own by UD and I find myself using it more than any of my two favorites Woodstock or Junkie.  I've been obsessed with blending it out with eyeshadow on both my upper and lower outer lashlines--such a great color!

3. Urban Decay Lipstick in Peroxide

Lipsticks and I haven't gotten along for years ever since I tried my mother's (Revlon) and sister's (Clinique) back when I was way younger.  I figured UD would be a good place to attempt another acquaintance and, boy, I do love this color!  It's actually the same color as my natural lips, but has shimmer and a nice satiny finish.  However, the price of this, $22, is also a little steep since the amount of product doesn't utilize the entire capacity of the tube.

4. True Blue Spa Super-Softening Hand Lotion with Paraffin

This baby has become a staple between my sister and I.  I also keep this size (the spa size) at my desk at work and a tube of it in my purse.  It moisturizes your hands with very little product and it's amazing if you work with papers all day.  The downside is that if you load up on too much product, it leaves an oily residue on your hands due to the paraffin (mineral oil solid).  Combine this with the TBS 60 Second Manicure Sugar Scrub and it's manicure heaven.  The tube is quite large at 5oz and retails for $18 at Bath and Body Works.  Get it on sale or after Christmas--then it's a steal!

5. Victoria's Secret Bombshell eau de parfum

I've probably mentioned this parfum more times than I ever remember mentioning any others...but it's so worth it.  I'm a total fan of citrus-based scents according to my history of perfumes (Clinique Happy, Ralph Lauren something or other--I can't remember!, DKNY Be Delicious, DKNY Be Delicious Fresh Blossom) and this one is probably my favorite so far.  According to the VS website, it's "a glamorous blend of purple passion fruit, Shangri-la yellow peony and vanilla orchid."  I still haven't bought the full size version yet since I've been waiting for NEX to bring in the 3.4oz size...but who knows when that'll happen.  I actually bought two travel size versions after Christmas (the last two I could find in the VS store) and they're almost all gone...sad!  I do own the body spray, but the scent doesn't last as long as the parfum's oil-base.  This is seriously on my to buy list!  This retails at $49 for the 1.7oz and $65 for the 3.4oz.  However, NEX sells the 1.7oz for $39.

Anything you've been loving recently?  I know I didn't put up a polish, but I change so often that it's hard to have a definite favorite!

--Cheryl

Above is an image of the BB Creams Sephora carries to date...and they're all in the $30 price range.  I have to say that I think that's outrageous--$32-$39 for a small 1-1.75oz product?  I don't think so!  I totally get that these companies* are trying to get into the BB Cream market and take advantage of the American/English-speaking consumers, but I'd rather buy my BB Cream off eBay.  For $15.  "But the quality!" you say...I say BS.  I've tested these and frankly they aren't that great or different from Asian versions.  These may work for some people, but I'd rather not have to pay $30+ for a product of that small size.  I get that it's the trend, but I'd rather not get ripped off for something that's lacking in quality or boasts about certain properties that is found in most BB Creams.  Smashbox is especially guilty of this since they have an entire section dedicated to how wonderful their BB Cream is and how it moisturizes, has SPF, skin care properties, and evens out skin tone.  Wake up call--the majority of BB Creams have this.  Where they differ is usually the brand, thickness of the product, color options, and the specific purpose the product is trying to fulfill (various "types"--moisturizing, shimmer, acne, etc.).

While I think it's pretty cool that this Asian trend is catching on, it disgusts me that the prices for it are so high with some of them lacking in quality or claims to be miracle products.  These may be better suited for Western skin, but doesn't cut it for my Asian one.  I'll stick to my $15 BB Cream, thanks very much, but I am willing to try the Garnier one coming out next month.  At $12.99 it's affordable enough to consider purchasing, but we'll see.

I've come to learn that expensive and branded doesn't always mean it's better than something at a lower price.  I say take advantage of Sephora's buy-and-try policy.  Buy it, try it, hate it?, return it.  Simple and done.

*Dr. Jart is a Korea based company, but most of their BB Creams range from $10-$20 with some of them going up to the $30 range on eBay.  It's one of the higher-end brands of products from Korea, but as to how well they work...I have no idea.


--Cheryl