Ever since the medically prescribed Latisse came out, there's been a huge craze over products that enhance the growth and even the color of the eyelashes. Some women experience the loss of their lashes due to aging, improper care of their eye area or they're just plain not born blessed with long and thick lashes. In effect, they recur to mascaras that claim to miraculously transform your eyelashes, but usually come short of such claims. Now, aside from Latisse, there is a new product available cosmetically that anyone can purchase: MaximumLash. But is that really good news? Let's take a closer look at the product and its claims.
First turn off for me is that the product retails for $48.95 for a 0.074 Fl. Oz. tube. The owner company (International Cosmetics Inc.) claims that one bottle is a 3 month supply of nightly applications. To some, nearly $50 might sound a little unreasonable... so the price is already a point off.
In their FAQ they answer the question of growth. Does this product make your lashes grow? The answer is no. It simply "conditions the lashes to make them look longer, thicker and healthier than ever before." Sounds good... but...
I'm not the type of person to ever have allergic reactions in my eyes. Ever. I've tried on numerous mascaras and eyeshadows that I'm sure have somehow gotten in my eyes during application or through rubbing, and not once have I ever had a red eye or any other adverse reaction. I know I don't sound like I'm a fan of the product and that's because I'm not. At the beginning, I was very enthusiastic about trying it. It sounded like something new and exciting. However, to my disappointment, on the very first test my eyes turned bloodshot red. Here's how that went...
I received the product along with a press kit which included an FAQ. Call me a nerd, but I love to read instructions and FAQs. It gives you insight, and if something goes wrong, you feel less sorry because you know what to do. So I'm reading through these questions and one of them is "Is it normal to feel a small tingling or itch on my lash line?" MMHMM. They go on to answer that some customers have reported a light tingling and/or itchiness during the first few days of application, but that feeling should subside after approximately 3 days of use. If itching persists, consult your doctor and discontinue use, blah, blah. NOW. Did I feel a tingle or an itchiness when I applied the product onto my lids the first time? No. I wouldn't use those words to describe what I felt. It was more so a BURN. I quickly shut my eyes and tried to rinse the insides without having to remove the product but it was nearly impossible. The burning sensation subsided after about a minute and I decided to take a nap. "Perfect.", I thought, because the product is designed to work while you sleep.
My eyes experienced burning and redness after using MaximumLash.
Oh dear. When I woke up, I nearly let out a small scream when i saw my eyes in the mirror. They looked super red, especially near the bottom lids. Not only that, but I've had a weird sensation in them ever since. I didn't read a thing about redness occuring in that FAQ. I think it's important that they write this. It's interesting that they say it's safe to use with contact lenses...but I'm sure if that even touched your lenses your eyes would be on fire.
I had high hopes for this product and I really did want to give it a fair trial before I reviewed it. Unfortunately, I cannot continue to review it because my eyes can't take it. I refuse to try my luck with it again, this day has already been uncomfortable and now I'm stuck with both eyes looking like I have conjunctivitis. No bueno! The photos I've included don't really show how red my eyes are, I'm guessing it's because of the flash.
I'm sorry MaximumLash, but this was a maximum pain :( Perhaps there are people out there who've had a better experience? Feel free to post your review here !
Let's start off this article by saying that it's hard to find hair products targeted to work for all types of hair, including ethnic. The "normal to fine" hair aisle at the average drugstore is usually vast and extensive. They are chock full of every variety of hair products man can make, and the brands probably use every letter in the alphabet. Then, we have the one little shelf at the end of the aisle with the ethnic products by brands like "Dark & Lovely" and "Softsheen". You'll find hair grease/pomade, relaxers, deep conditioners and always some form of hair growth stimulant oil like "Doo Grow". Needless to say, the selection seems very limited and I find it truly annoying.
That's why I was surprisingly refreshed when I first visited the Ecru New York website and realized their products aren't necessarily targeted for one hair type alone. Everyone can dig in and obtain positive results from using their products. A person I know who has very natural, curled up, kinky hair was the one who told me about this line. He specified that the Protective Silk Conditioner ($22.00 USD, 8 Fl. Oz.) left his hair feeling soft and manageable for styling, whilst enhancing the curls and shine. I, of course, could not wait to get my hands on this conditioner, and, hopefully, other products from this line.
I not only obtained the Protective Silk Conditioner, I also got the Silk Nourishing Spray ($24.00 USD, 5.1 Fl. Oz), the Silk Nectar Serum ($32.50 USD), 1.3 Fl. Oz), and the Luxe Treatment Shampoo ($22.00 USD, 8. Fl. Oz). Collectively, these products did wonders on my hair just from the first day of use. Please take a look at this picture I took of myself only one day after treating my hair with them. The shine is amazing and I cannot even begin to describe how soft my hair felt. I didn't even have to straighten it because the curls were so beautiful. I sat under the dryer with rollers on for approximately 45 min. (my hair is currently long) and that was the outcome when the rollers came off!
My favorite product is probably the Luxe Treatment Shampoo because of how richly it foams up when I am washing my hair, and it doesn't leave my strands feeling too stripped of moisture like most shampoos do after rinsing. My second preference has to be the Silk Nourishing Spray which is a leave-in conditioner. I sprayed a generous amount all over my hair before doing my rollers, and I think it added onto the experience. The Silk Nectar Serum is also good because of how lightweight it is and it smells fabulous. It gives hair just the right amount of shine without leaving it heavy or greasy.
Oh, and if you're wondering what type of hair I have, it is naturally wavy/curly, and I've been relaxing it ever since the age of 9. As you know, relaxed hair, or just chemically processed hair in general, should be treated with special products and extra care. So, if you have hair like me or the person who suggested these products, I say give Ecru New York a try!
I'm known for being funky. It might be a phase, a very long phase since it's been years, but I am all about bright colors. Especially for the Summer and Spring! And since it's right about that time again, I thought I'd show you all my favorite nail polish shade from BB Couture! It's called Zuma Wave Rider and it's a pale blue. It's loud, but it's not screaming! I like that. This shade would probably make great contrast with yellow, purple and hot pink shades of clothing. If you're a girl with edge, you know exactly what I'm talking about.
BB Couture not only carry nail lacquers, they have an extensive line of additional products such as the very unique Massage Moisturizing Candles ($24.95) which are infused with healthy oils to moisturize the skin. Their Grip Base ($10.95) polish also sounds like a must-have for the nail freaks because it helps the nail polish stay on longer all while conditioning the nails.
Their color nail polish sell for $8.95 each and I do have to say that I love how smoothly it went on my nails and it wasn't really necessary for me to apply a shine coat afterwords. Their colors do not dry dull which is a plus if you're lazy and want to skip the finishing step! To check out their wide range of lights, brights and darks plus other nail essentials, visit their website at www.bbnailpolish.com!
I felt the need to create this article because I believe that all of us should always investigate, research and question what we read on the internet. Keeping in mind that the internet is accessible to almost anyone these days, we should always go look for a "second opinion" as we would with doctors. And maybe a third, or a fourth just to confirm.
The main reason for this piece is having seen a fellow "beauty expert" make several videos about Olive Oil being a great cleanser for the face. She has advertised it as a great make-up remover and also claims that Olive Oil does not clog your pores.UNTRUE!
Not only can I testify based on my own experience, but there are plenty of articles online (like this one) that can tell you the same thing: YES, OLIVE OIL DOES CLOG PORES AND WILL POTENTIALLY CAUSE BREAKOUTS. One can use this naturally conditioning oil maybe to remove eye make-up, and even then, it should be washed off right after. In fact, if we're going to look at the bigger picture, I'm sure CRISCO can remove make-up as well. Most people tend to have sensitive or acne-prone skin. Not everyone out there is blessed with resiliently flawless skin like that "beauty expert" I mentioned. I mean, she puts kitty litter on her face as a mask and recommends that we use a cheap battery powered toothbrush to exfoliate our faces. I actually did try the toothbrush thing, only to regret it deeply 3 months later when I still couldn't get my face to stop flaking and feeling like sandpaper. So needless to say, I hardly listen to any of her "unique" tips any more.
Like everyone else, I had also heard about how great Olive Oil can be for the skin. And in a desperate attempt to make my own skin flawless, I actually tried to use it as a make-up remover for about a week. Big mistake. My already existing zits flared up like crazy and new ones came popping right out. Never again.
So, before you go following every bit of beauty advice that any self-proclaimed beauty expert gives you, DO YOUR RESEARCH. That's what Google is for. Hell, you can even question this very article. Just always remember to do YOU, do what works for YOU and never go by a pretty face. Your skin is nothing like mine, so what works for me may not work for you. Be safe about your beauty, ya'll! : )
I really had no idea just how popular Dr. Perry's NightSkin was until I came to realization that it is the #1 keyword used to access my website. People from all over are eager to know if this product truly delivers its claims of amazing skin renewal in a short period of time.
This product is backed up by New Vitality, a company that pushes health products that have been developed with the supervision of certified doctors in the United States. Everything aside, I do want to note that I have been a customer of theirs ever since I was first contacted about NightSkin's release. I visited the website out of curiosity and came to find that I enjoy their Triple Strength Omega-3 and their Green Tea Plus. Both have given me extra energy and overall a better feeling of health. Highly, highly recommended. And no, no one paid me to say that : ) Trust that this is an honest note and the following review of NightSkin is my sincere opinion.
Going to their site now, I realized the price of a single 30 mL bottle went up from $49.95 to $69.95 since I first heard about the product back in July of '08. Ouch! Can't say that sounds too good, I think I would've bought myself another bottle if the price had stayed at a fair $50. Now I have to really consider it before I do, we all know how messed up this economy is and even our beauty maintenance has to be cut back a little in order to save some pennies!
Let's cut to the chase though! NightSkin has many ingredients but the key ones are 0.2% Retinyl Propionate, 7% Glycolic Acid, 10% Vitamin C and 0.1% Glabridin. What exactly are these ingredients and what can they do for your skin? Let's find out:
Retinyl Propionate A form of vitamin A. The natural enzymes in skin convert this to retinoic acid, which improves fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation.
Glycolic Acid A powerful and comfortable exfoliant. It sweeps away the dead layer of skin on the surface of the face, making your skin feel smooth and beautiful. It also supports collagen synthesis and moisturizes the skin.
Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid) An antioxidant that assists your body in fighting sun damage in the skin. This special form of vitamin C also supports collagen production.
Licorice Extract Contains glabridin, a safe herbal skin lightener. Along with the other active ingredients, glabridin decreases brown pigmentation in the skin.
Got it? Now here is my experience. I am happy to say that I believe this product's claims fully. I gave it a fairly long trial, using it maybe once a week, sometimes twice and my skin ALWAYS looked beautiful the next day. As the name very obviously indicates, this product is meant to use at night when you are ready to hit the sack and relax. While you sleep, all of these ingredients form a team to ensure that when you wake up your skin looks absolutely radiant, glowing and feels incredibly smooth and firm.
The directions indicate that one shouldn't use the product on ruptured/broken skin and I cannot stress this enough! Do NOT apply this product on skin that has cuts or zits because it will sting like hell! Also, I would avoid using it right after exfoliating... you shouldn't have to exfoliate the skin right before anyway, because the Glycolic Acid in the product should do that job.
The bottle is a pump that dispenses the right amount of product every time so there is no overusing or unnecessary waste of it. Because of the Vitamin C content, the creamy serum turns yellow/brownish in color with time. This does not mean the product has expired or is unsafe for use.
The claim is this feels like having a facial done overnight and I agree. My skin has changed drastically in the last year. It has gone from super oily to extremely dry and irritated. The morning after using the product, however, my skin feels restored and moisturized. Too bad it's so sensitive, or else I would use the product more frequently.
Oh and for those who are wondering about the smell, it is a bit unpleasant but in my opinion not so bad you can't take it. The closest thing to its smell that I can think of is dry liquor.
So, in conclusion!
PROS: One bottle will last you months on end because of infrequent use of product and the effectiveness of it. Skin is visibly smoother and glowing from the first time you use it. Contains Vitamin C which is antioxidant and helps slow down aging! Glycolic Acid helps exfoliate away dead skin cells for a rejuvenated complexion. Skin elasticity and firmness is also improved.
CONS: Smells kind of funny. Stings/irritates ruptured or sensitive skin.
Ever since the medically prescribed Latisse came out, there's been a huge craze over products that enhance the growth and even the color of the eyelashes. Some women experience the loss of their lashes due to aging, improper care of their eye area or they're just plain not born blessed with long and thick lashes. In effect, they recur to mascaras that claim to miraculously transform your eyelashes, but usually come short of such claims. Now, aside from Latisse, there is a new product available cosmetically that anyone can purchase: MaximumLash. But is that really good news? Let's take a closer look at the product and its claims.
I had high hopes for this product and I really did want to give it a fair trial before I reviewed it. Unfortunately, I cannot continue to review it because my eyes can't take it. I refuse to try my luck with it again, this day has already been uncomfortable and now I'm stuck with both eyes looking like I have conjunctivitis. No bueno! The photos I've included don't really show how red my eyes are, I'm guessing it's because of the flash. 
That's why I was surprisingly refreshed when I first visited the 
I not only obtained the Protective Silk Conditioner, I also got the Silk Nourishing Spray ($24.00 USD, 5.1 Fl. Oz), the Silk Nectar Serum ($32.50 USD), 1.3 Fl. Oz), and the 
I'm known for being funky. It might be a phase, a very long phase since it's been years, but I am all about bright colors. Especially for the Summer and Spring! And since it's right about that time again, I thought I'd show you all my favorite nail polish shade from 
Not only can I testify based on my own experience, but there are plenty of articles online (
Going to their site now, I realized the price of a single 30 mL bottle went up from $49.95 to $69.95 since I first heard about the product back in July of '08. Ouch! Can't say that sounds too good, I think I would've bought myself another bottle if the price had stayed at a fair $50. Now I have to really consider it before I do, we all know how messed up this economy is and even our beauty maintenance has to be cut back a little in order to save some pennies!
