Nip + Fab No Needle Fix Review

Ever since I tried Nip and Fab's Eye Fix, I've been dying to try more of their products.  I've been hearing a lot of buzz about their newest product just released a few weeks ago, and already sold out on their website in the U.S. and on Target's website, although it is available in Target stores as of right now.  I was there last week buying Eye Fix, and didn't see it, but when I went back a few days ago, they had No Needle Fix in stock- so of course, I bought one! 
For $19.99, this stuff has some pretty hefty claims.  Here are some packaging shots:

The main ingredients are: 

Cell Active Form- this enhances the skin's elasticity, firming and plumps by moisturizing and supporting lipid deposition.  

Osilift- This is an ingredient that's made with sugars extracted from oats.  It has a tensing effect, and when applied to the skin, it forms a continuous, elastic film that adheres to the skin and lifts it up.  Studies have shown that it gives a short term anti-wrinkle effect within 30 minutes and a long term effect on smoothing wrinkles over time with continued use. 

Indinyl- This is extracted from an Indian plant and has similar effects to Hyaluronic Acid, plumping, smoothing and softening the skin. 

This comes in a pump, which I love, because it's sanitary and easy to use. 

The product itself is a thick serum that has a pearly sheen to it: 

The first time I used No Needle Fix, I was in love with it.  Shortly after application, I would say within 5 or 10 minutes, you can feel it tensing your skin.  It's a weird sensation, kind of like it's mildly being pulled tight, yet it feels moisturized.  

After an hour, I looked in the mirror again, and my skin looked lifted and less lined.  I went to bed, and by the next morning, my skin looked even more smooth and plumped. I've noticed that my makeup goes on easier too!  I feel like this takes 5 years off my face at least, and in my early 30's, feeling like I look like I'm in my 20's again is a good thing.  

I think this would work best on people like me who have just a tiny bit of fine lines and want to firm up a little.  I doubt it will have drastic results on those who have deeper wrinkles, but I'm sure it will help soften them quite a bit.  I've tried other firming creams (some that were really expensive!) and this works better than any of them.  At $19.99, it's a steal!  Run to your local Target before everyone else catches on, and this disappears! :)

Milani Bronzer XL Review

Recenly I spotted Milani's Bronzer XL at CVS, and I just couldn't resist the ginormous packaging (it's bigger than my hand!). I tend to use a giant brush and blend bronzer down my neck and chest, so having a lot of product to work with is a good thing.  This one comes with a matte bronzer on one side, and a lighter shimmer powder on the other.  
You can use each one individually, or swirl them together to get shimmer-bronzer.  

I chose the lighter of the two shades that were at the store- 01A. 

First, I swatched the matte side heavily on my arm so that you could see the color better- it doesn't actually come out this dark with regular use. You can see the bronze section in the middle, and my pale skin on the sides.  

Below is the shimmer swatched over the matte bronzer.  When I swatched the shimmer alone, it didn't show up on camera.  But you can see how it gives the bronzer a nice sheen- it's not sparkly at all, definitely more of a shimmer.

I really like this bronzer- it gives you 3 different options, and tons of product for $7.  The powder itself is soft and pigmented- a kabuki brush really picks it up nicely.  

Have you tried this bronzer?  What did you think?

Shenandoah by Terri Michele Fragrance Review

I have a very sensitive nose, and heavy perfumes can give me a headache very easily.  So I usually tend to gravitate toward clean, fresh smelling perfumes that aren't too heavy or imposing.  The problem with most light fragrances, is that they don't last long- by midday they've completely faded.  

Recently, I had the opportunity to try Shenandoah by Terri Michele fragrances.  Shenandoah was created by Michele Kaplan, a "fragrance aficionado and mother of three" who wanted to find a signature scent that was "light and clean, yet long lasting" and “draws you in as though it were a part of the wearer rather than a spritz from the bottle.”   I can definitely relate to that, so I was really excited to try it! 


Here's the description from the Terri Michele website:
"THE SIGNATURE SCENT OF TERRI MICHELE FRAGRANCES, SHENANDOAH IS FRESH, CLEAN, AND AQUATIC, WITH CLASSIC APPEAL AND SUPERB STAYING POWER. An inviting combination of floral notes, the fragrance is at once soft, subtle, and alluring. The singular, utterly feminine scent is said by some to be purity and light captured in a bottle. Artisanal in concept, Shenandoah is custom-blended and worn by company founder Michele Kaplan".  The notes are:
Bergamot, White Lily, White Musk, Freesia, Lotus, Ylang Ylang, Sandalwood


Sounds amazing, and it is!  I've been wearing Shenandoah for a week now, and have gotten tons of compliments on it.  Some people have said it smells like soap, while others have said it smells fresh yet warm, like your favorite clean t-shirt.  

My favorite thing about this fragrance is that it's the best of both worlds- light and airy, yet the sandalwood, white musk and ylang ylang keep it grounded and give it lasting power.  
I can't stop sniffing my wrists- it's just that wonderful.  Even my husband who's very picky about perfumes and doesn't like too many of them, loves Shenandoah.  He told me that it's feminine without being flowery- it's just light and clean.  


There are also ancillary products in the line, including body lotion, body wash, roll on perfume, and a soy candle.  

One more thing I love about this company is their commitment to the environment.  All of the bottles are made entirely from repurposed milk jugs or HDPE.  And all boxes are made from paper that is approved by the Paper Stewardship council, which are assured to come from forests that are managed to meet the social, economic and environmental needs of current and future generations.  

I think Shenandoah is going to be my main fragrance this Spring and Summer.  It's perfect for every day, whether I'm going to work, or just hanging out on the weekends.  

Have you tried the Shenandoah line?  I'd love to hear your thoughts!


Disclaimer: Jenna has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free product to try out so she could evaluate and use it for her review. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & honest and your opinions may differ.

Spotted in Store- New Milani Shadow Eyez sticks

At CVS yesterday, I stumbled upon some Milani Shadow Eyez pencils.  These can be used as shadows or liners, and remind me of NYX's shadow sticks.  

They come in six shades- 3 are more neutral, while the other 3 are bold.  I'm really liking the white one for brightening the inner corners of the eyes- liners are often too thin for that purpose and white powder eyeshadows don't last. 

These say they last 12 hours, which I'm always skeptical of when it's a cream eyeshadow.  Most crease and fade quickly, which was my experience with the NYX ones.  A Google search didn't come up with much info, since these are really new- they're not even on Milani's site yet, as of this posting.  But I did come up with this Makeup Alley review which was posted yesterday, and the reviewer says these have great lasting power. Makes me want to try them out! 

Here are the colors up close: 

What do you think?  Are you going to try these, or better yet, have you already? 

Free Escada Perfume Samples

If you've been wanting to try Escada's perfumes, such as Rockin Rio, Taj Sunset, or Especially Escada, CLICK HERE to get a free sample of whichever one sounds good to you! 

Organix Coconut Hibiscus Creamy Body Lotion Review

Recently, Organix launched a new line of body lotions and body washes.  They come in three scents, Coconut Hibiscus, Moroccan Argan Oil, and Cherry Blossom and Rice Milk.  

My experience with Organix hair products has been so-so, but I was at CVS last week, and ended up purchasing the Coconut Hibiscus body lotion. My mind was in summer mode since we had a random warm snap in New England and it was 80 degrees outside...I took one whiff of the Coconut Hibiscus lotion, and decided I had to have it for the scent alone. It smells heavenly.  Creamy coconut with just a hint of floral to make it a little feminine.  But overall, it smells like you just walked onto a tropical beach- amazing.  

Here's some packaging shots: 

This contains Sugar Cane and Willow Bark, which mildly exfoliate to encourage cell turnover, as well as Coconut Milk proteins. Rice Milk and Bamboo Extract soften the skin.  One downside is that it does contain mineral oil, for those sensitive to it. 

To be honest, I didn't expect too much from this lotion, since I got average results from the shampoo and conditioner. I really just bought this for the scent...BUT, I was shocked at how amazingly soft and smooth this made my skin! It literally felt like velvet after using this.

It's got an average consistency, not too thick, not too thin: 

My skin is incredibly dry, and this not only moisturized and made my skin feel like smooth as silk, but after using it for a few days, I realized that it had also smoothed and gotten rid of my flakes!  It soaks in immediately and leaves no greasy residue.  I actually put this in my purse and brought it to work (and it's not a small bottle at 13 oz!) just so I could use it on my hands throughout the day, and bring the scent of the tropics to my cubicle.  I think I'm going to put some in a small, purse friendly bottle to tote with me from now on.  

I'm actually thinking about going back for the body wash.  

Have you tried this, or any of the other scents?  I loved the Moroccan Oil scent and almost bought it too. :)

FREE Sample of new Garnier Ultra Lift 2-in-1 Wrinkle Reducer!

Back in January, I reviewed Garnier's new Ultra Lift 2-in-1 Wrinkle Reducer, and it's such a fantastic product that I use every single day.  Now, you can get a free sample to try from Target!  

Just answer a couple of short questions about your skincare routine, and fill in your mailing address, and your sample will be on it's way to your door! 

Click Here to get your free sample!

Nip + Fab Eye Fix Review

I heard a while back that the brand Nip + Fab, which was created by Rodial's Maria Hatzistefanis, was going to be in Target, but I just recently discovered it in my local store.
According to Maria, she created Nip + Fab because she "saw a gap in the market for a serious, mass market range to help women and men achieve results in double-quick time, with minimum fuss and without the expense."
There were so many interesting looking products in the line to choose from, I had a really hard time. but since I'm such a concealer freak,  I finally settled on Eye Fix, for my first purchase.  

Eye Fix is a 2-in1 eye cream + concealer.  According to the Nip + Fab Website: 

"Give the skin around your eyes a softer, fresher, more radiant appearance with this 2-in-1 eye cream + concealer. Enriched with hydrating, plumping hyaluronic acid, softening glycerin and cucumber extract to reduce the appearance of puffiness, this clever eye boosting cream will instantly hide imperfections and dark circles with light reflecting particles to leave you looking younger, bright eyed and ready to face the day.

• hyaluronic acid hydrates + plumps fine lines

• cucumber extract soothes + helps reduce puffiness

• light reflecting particles brighten + conceals dark circles"

Eye Fix comes in a twist up pen applicator with a brush.  I love the sleek, white packaging.  

Here's some packaging shots:

One downside is that this formula comes in only one color right now...it's a nude-pink shade.  On me, it's absolutely a perfect match... but I have light skin with pink undertones.  I'm hoping that they make this in some darker shades in the future.  So here's what the color looks like when it first comes out (not blended in): 

The first time I used this, I was blown away by the coverage.  It's not a super thick product, but it covers dark circles really well and also gives a bit of illumination to brighten the eye area. Kind of like a Touche Eclat that covers better!   Even though this claims to be an eye cream too, I didn't find it to be moisturizing enough, so I used an eye cream first, and then applied this.  However, since this does have a bit of moisture in it in the form of Hylauronic Acid, it doesn't sink into wrinkles! It's brilliant. 

Here's my before and after: Before on the left (just after I woke up) and After applying Eye Fix (and mascara) on the right: 

My whole eye area just looks so much brighter.  I used the product underneath and all around the eye, blending down into the cheek area just a little because I have some freckles and sun damage there.  (The packaging also says you can use this anywhere on the face as a concealer).  

I'm in love with this and can't wait to try more Nip + Fab products!  They're affordable and so far, totally live up to their claims.  

Eye Fix is $9.95 at Target.com and in Target stores. 

Free 7 Day Sample of Lancome Genifique

If you've always wanted to try Lancome's Genifique, now's your chance!  Right now, on their website, you can print out a coupon to bring to any Lancome counter, and they'll give you a FREE 7 day supply of Genifique serum so that you can see how it works for you. To get this special deal, click here !

Spotted in Store- Wet N Wild Flora and Fauna kits at Walgreens

Today at Walgreens, I spotted new 4-piece kits from Wet N Wild called Flora and Fauna.  They contain full sized products, and are only $4.99 each!  That's like $1.25 per piece- such a great deal!  They come in 2 different combinations that contain really pretty bright Spring shades, and includes a blush, eyeshadow quad, lip gloss and nail polish. 
Here's some close ups of the colors:

What do you think of the color combos?  

Luxurious handmade soaps for $4- Shannon's Soaps Review

In recent years, I've shied away from bar soaps because they dry my skin out something fierce. I've wanted to try Lush's soaps, but they're so expensive, at close to $8 for a 3.5 oz chunk. I ran out of body wash last week, and have been bad about remembering to pick some up, so I've been using my husband's bar soap...with not so great results.  Ever since, my skin has been feeling really dry and tight, so I was really happy to get a package from Shannon's Soaps! 
Shannon's Soaps was started by a chemistry major-turned teacher-turned stay at home mom, and everything is made by hand from only the best natural ingredients.  
Since I have dry skin, I got two soaps made from skin-nourishing oils and a super moisturizing lotion. 

First up is the Tropical Coconut soap.  I'm obsessed with coconut scented products, and this one is made with 6 different oils, including palm, coconut, olive, sunflower, macadamia and castor oils.  The soap itself has pretty swirls of blue in it, and it smells lovely- not overpowering, just a mild coconut scent.  At 4.3 oz., this is a huge bar of soap, for only $4.

The first time I used this, I couldn't get over the rich, luxurious lather.  It lathers very easily, but the bubbles themselves are cushiony, thick and super moisturizing.  After I rinsed off, my skin felt more moisturized than after using my normal body wash, and my skin felt so comfortable, I didn't even need to use body lotion afterwards!  

The next one I got was Sun and Sand.  The ingredients are the same as the Tropical Coconut soap but without the Macadamia oil.  The scent smells just like the beach- a mix of coconut, suntan lotion, and sea air   It actually reminds me of Bobbi Brown's Beach fragrance.  Even without the macadamia oil, this one is still extremely moisturizing and leaves the skin soft.  This one also costs $4 for a 4-4.5 oz. bar.

The last product I got to try was Cocoa Butter Love.  This lotion in a jar is made with cocoa butter, sweet almond oil, and jojoba seed oil, and smells absolutely amazing! The scent isn't overpowering, but it literally smells like a Hershey bar- yum!  I've used Palmer's Cocoa Butter lotion, which also smells like chocolate, but Shannon's Cocoa Butter Love smells even more like the real thing.  

This lotion has a balm-like consistency- it appears thick, but melts right into the skin and disappears, leaving no greasy feeling. (You can see what it looks like before I rub it in below).   I love that this is all natural- no chemicals or bad stuff in it at all.  It costs $4.50 for a 2oz jar, or $7.50 for 4oz.  

Overall, I'm super happy with Shannon's Soaps- I'm definitely a bar soap convert now, as these moisturize even better than my shea butter body wash ( which has detergents in it that offset the moisturizing qualities).  At prices way lower than Lush, a great all natural bar of soap (in many different scents and formulations) is a click away! In addition, Shannon's offers bath bombs, bath salts and lotions, and will offer lotion bars soon.  
You can order at www.shannonssoaps.com. 


Disclaimer: Jenna has personally reviewed the product listed above. She has not received any monetary compensation for her review but did receive a free product to try out so she could evaluate and use it for her review. Her thoughts & opinions in this review are unbiased & completely honest. 

New Milani Products spotted at CVS- Baked Blush and Bronzer XL

Some new Milani products showed up at my local CVS this week! 
First up were some baked blushes. The description says, "A luxurious powder blush that features a mélange infusion of colors baked on Italian terracotta tiles. Easy to use, sensorial in texture, the nuances of color become extraordinarily luminous. Silky smooth application leaves your face looking healthy and radiant all day."
 I thought these had been around a while, but the display said "New" so maybe they've been reformulated? Or added new shades?

Some close ups:

Next up, is Bronzer XL- these compacts are huge, and definitely have enough product to be considered a body bronzer as well.  

The description says," A 2-in-1 bronzer, matte and shimmer, perfect for all-over color! First, sweep matte bronzer all over face, neck and body to create instant, healthy, sun-kissed radiance. Second, dab the pearlescent shimmer bronzer to add touches of luminosity! The oil-free, silky-soft powder formula feels luxurious on skin, with a fresh and light fragrance."  I actually bought one of these, so a review is coming soon!

Have you tried these?  What did you think?

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Bronzer Review in Glistening Sun

Last weekend at Harmons I spotted Maybelline's new Dream Bouncy Bronzer.  It follows on the heels of their very popular Dream Bouncy blushes that were first released in January 2012.  There were two available shades, and I went with the lighter one, since I'm fair, called Glistening Sun.  

It has the exact same texture as the Bouncy Blush...it feels like silly putty when you dip your finger into it, and it's an extremely lightweight cream that melts into the skin and feels like a powder. 

The next photo shows what happens when you dip your finger into the product- it leaves a dent in the putty-like product and then you can just push it back together with your finger into its original shape.

Here's what the color looks like on paper: 

And here's what it looks like on me (not rubbed in): 

And here's what it looks like rubbed in: 

I found it to be a little bit orange on me at first, but once it was rubbed in, it wasn't too bad. I think since I have pink undertones instead of yellow, anything with a tiny bit of orange seems to pop out more.  It does have a lot of sparkle, which makes me want to limit how much I use.  I would probably just wear this as a highlight in any areas I'd want a little bit of a glow, such as my cheekbones.  With this much shimmer, I don't think I'll wear this all over- it would just be too much.   

Have you tried this yet?