In short, I don’t get cleansing sticks. They seem gimmicky to me, and they present a sanitary/hygiene conundrum.
But, Beauty Skeptic, why do bar cleansers not offput you in the very same fashion?
Well, Dear Reader, the answer is twofold.
Happy Mani Monday! Yesterday, I did a gel set of Sensationail Nude Mood, which I used for the first time. Check it out:
Sensationail USB LED LampThis is a legacy post that has been given a facelift. Content has been updated for clarity, but opinions are the same!
Back in 2016, I went shopping for the Sensationail Polish to Gel. There, I was faced with two options: just the Polish to Gel, $7.99, or a Starter Kit with the new Sensationail USB LED Lamp, $23.99. I was like, “Wait, NEW lamp?!”
I bought the starter kit. Yes, I already have a lamp – but I wanted to see what was so, “new and improved,” (or if it was indeed, ‘improved’) about the new lamp.
The new lamp is powered via an included micro-USB cable, and comes with an AC adapter.
My desk is also where I usually do my nails, so it being USB-powered is perfect for me. If I choose to do them at my vanity, I just bring a power bank over there with me. USB power makes it way better for travel, should you need to bring it with you – it (generally) means you can travel with fewer cables, fewer things to need adapters for. Less competition for AC outlets, too.
Instead of an annoying switch-and-button combo, the new Sensationail LED lamp has a motion sensor. The lamp detects when something is placed within and automatically comes on, as well as powers off when nothing is inside. This is awesome for flash-curing any colors that may be fussy about shrinkage.
Additionally, the new Sensationail LED Lamp’s base is magnetic and pops off to support easier use for pedicures. Some professional lamps are bottomless for this precise reason; it’s really nice to see this in a small, home-use lamp. I don’t do gel pedicures very often, but it is SO CONVENIENT to have this option. It’s great for when you’re dabbling in messy manicures (like embedding glitter in gel), too.
Eco Lips Lipscrub, Vanilla Bean, $3.97It is plenty easy to exfoliate your lips. You can gently do so with the terrycloth of a towel or washcloth. Some people use their toothbrush (for me, this is too abrasive). You can make your own scrubs with sugar (I usually do). Sometimes, though, its nice to just grab a finished product and not think about getting out oils and sugars and mixing and cleaning up. I found myself in one of the beauty aisles in Wal-Mart and spotted a pot of Ecolips Lipscrub for under $5.
This legacy post has been given a facelift! I’m still amazed it took me as long as it did to find this product. Opinions are the same but content has been updated for clarity and readability. Enjoy!
When I was younger, I scoffed at the idea of the semi-old-fashioned excuse of, “Oh I’m sorry, I can’t… I have to wash my hair!”
Washing your hair is easy, come on!
Drying it, however, sucks.
Styling it (if you’re me) definitely sucks.
In my natural habitat, I’m absolutely a wash-and-wear sort. I do not enjoy blow-drying it (2018 Update: I have actually come to appreciate it for its practicality). I do, when I need to, but I much prefer to towel or air dry. Wrapping your hair in a full-length body towel also sucks, though. Too much towel! Doesn’t stay in place, you have to redo it a few times. It’s obnoxious.
Years ago, I had seen the Turbie Twist but dismissed it as a gimmick. Last month, though, I came across one in Wal-Mart or Target (can’t remember) and they were only like $6 – so I grabbed one.
I never thought I’d buy, enjoy, or write about an As Seen On TV product… but here I am.
The Turbie Twist is a microfiber terry towel that is sewn like so – tapered so it fits around your head and isn’t too much fabric for the length of your hair.
To use it, you flip your wet hair (brush it with a Wet Brush first!) upside down and put the larger side at the nape of your neck with the tapered end facing the floor. Tuck your hair into the inside of the towel, then twist the towel to secure. While holding your twisted towel, pull it back towards your neck and slip the end through the elastic.
Several years ago, I was sent Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs to try courtesy Influenster.
I hated it.
Fast forward to now, I have entirely reversed my stance. *record screech* Yeah. That’s right. I completely reversed my opinion. I love this stuff, now…with the right shade and some usage modifications, that is.
This legacy post has been given a facelift. Content has been edited for clarity and flow, but opinions are the same. Additional (new) commentary is in line.
We’ve all had it happen – find an item we love, use it (if consumable) or wear it out (if not), go to restock or replace only to be met with sadness.
Here’s a list of discontinued products I miss!
Ponds Luminous Finish BB+I feel like I just reviewed this – I haven’t finished my tube, but now I’m in ration-mode because they already discontinued it. They still have it on Amazon through third-party merchants, but I’m still debating on it.
An ooooldie, but I long for it on the regular. It’s a shimmery light pink that is perfect. The formula was awesome and it was pretty and I went through THREE whole bottles of it. Three. Even though I’m a gel fanatic now, I would gleefully purchase this if they re-released it. Meanwhile, I’ve been unsuccessfully hunting for a dupe. 2018 Update: I still pine for this polish. It has now been well over a decade after I’ve worn it and it tugs at my damn heartstrings because it. was. perfect!
More after the jump…