Have you ever purchased a product you thought would solve your problem only to find that it didn’t deliver on its promises? I know that feeling and believe me, it’s not fun. That being said, I decided to test a few products that have generated a lot of buzz over the years to find out if they actually live up to the hype.
Here are reviews of a few popular beauty products:
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Dermablend Quick Fix Concealer SPF 30 – $23 *
As a college student who often studies until the wee hours of the night, I sometimes wake up with dark circles under my eyes. To look well-rested, I’ve tried many concealers over the years and none of them seemed to actually work.
I had pretty much given up on finding a good concealer until my mom told me about Dermablend. I did a bit of research and learned Dermablend products are often used by people who have serious skin flaws such as freckles, scars, birthmarks, rosacea and vitiligo. I thought to myself, “If it works for them, then it should work for me.”
So, I decided to put this concealer to the test and it passed. Not only does this concealer cover dark circles, but it stays on until I wash off my makeup. The only downside to this concealer is that it can be a little drying sometimes, so be sure to moisturize your under-eye area before application.
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CHI Air Expert Tourmaline Ceramic 1” Flat Iron – $100*
OK, I’m aware this product is a little on the expensive side, but you get what you pay for, especially when it comes to styling tools. Yes, this product is an investment piece, but you’ll thank yourself in the long run. The CHI flat iron straightens your hair while adding shine, reducing frizz and eliminating static and you’ll never have to worry about this flat iron burning your hair, which is awesome.
CHI flat irons are considered to be top-notch by many professional hair stylists. What I love about this flat iron is that it heats up in a matter of seconds and it has a nine-foot swivel cord, so you have plenty of room to move around. Also, CHI flat irons are available in a beautiful array of vibrant colors and fun designs including red, fuchsia, sapphire, emerald, stripes, lace and leopard.
Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara – $19
I’ve purchased a lot of mascaras over the years only to be disappointed each time. So, I wasn’t expecting much when I tried Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara a few months ago. Although I heard great things about Smashbox products, I was hesitant about trying this mascara.
To my surprise, I actually like this mascara, but it has a few drawbacks. For one, the brush is so big that when I apply the mascara, it gets all over my eyelids, which is a little annoying. So, take your time when you apply this mascara to avoid the mess. Also, there is so much mascara on the brush that you have to remove some of it before application to avoid clumpy lashes.
Other than that, this mascara works really well. According to Smashbox, this mascara increases the volume of your lashes by 104 percent. Also, this mascara is paraben-free, so your lashes won’t look dry and flaky.
*Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Anti-Chip Top Coat – approximately $6 *
Anyone who truly knows me is fully aware of my nail polish addiction. You’ll never catch me sporting bare nails. What can I say? I love nail polish, but I’m not a fan of chipped nail polish. That being said, I decided to purchase Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Anti-Chip Top Coat because I heard great reviews about it from other nail polish junkies, and I must say I’m impressed.
The shine is incredible and my manicure stayed chip-free for a week. This top coat also contains UV filters to help prevent yellowing of the nails. What more could you ask for? It’s like a miracle in a bottle. Sally Hansen guarantees this top coat will be completely dry within 30 seconds of application, but I would actually suggest waiting five to 10 minutes just to be safe. This top coat is perfect for anyone who wants a perfect manicure, but is always on the go.
_Note: CHI flat irons can be purchased at JCPenney, Dermablend products can be purchased at Macy’s, Smashbox products can be purchased at Sephora and Sally Hansen products can be purchased at Meijer, CVS, Rite Aid and Walgreens. _
