** UPDATE: COMMENTS ARE WORKING! Just click the individual post title, you can't leave them on the main page.


Weird. **

2.10.2014

Teeny-tiny Ulta Haul

Smile
{2 of my 3 drawers for lip products}

I started to organize some of my makeup this weekend, and posted this picture on Instagram.  My second cousin commented that I don't need anymore lipstick, so of course, I went to Ulta today to buy more...  I wanted to swatch a few eye shadow pallets, and check out the NYX Butter Glosses.  This is my new obsession.  I go and swatch something, and then sleep on it before buying...  After the Urban Decay Naked 3 fiasco, one never be too careful...

I love Urban Decay, it's no secret... LOVE them!  I can't wait for the day when I own every.single.eyeshadow.  Imagine my excitement when last December the Naked 3 eye shadow palette was released...  It was all anyone in the beauty blogosphere and on Youtube were talking about, I couldn't wait.  Of course I went out and bought it the morning it came out... Ulta hadn't even managed to get it on the display yet.  I brought it home, opened it up... and... womp womp.

The eye shadow palette as a whole, is full of warm, pinkish shades...  which I know I don't ever wear... Really warm eye shadows {think MAC Woodwinked} tend to make my skin look really sallow and sickly.  Pink, mauve, red, and most warm purples and reddish-browns make me look like I've got a case of contagious conjunctivitis, a la Bob Costas; but this is Urban Decay, so I purchased it anyway.  I owned the palette for a total of three days and then returned it after about twenty people asked if my eye was ok.  What a disappointment.


Anyway, today I went to swatch the Smashbox Full Exposure palette to see if maybe it's something I want to buy.  I also wanted to check  out the Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette, and some of their other palettes.  I'll say right off the bat that the matte colors in the Smashbox palette were beautiful.  however, half of the shades are shimmery, and those were not good at all.  There was a ton of glitter {to the point of mad fallout}, but the color payoff just wasn't there... They were almost sheer.  I was so sad, because the palette is beautiful! I really loved the Too Faced Natural at Night palette and the Boudoir Eyes palette as well as three  Stilla palettes: The Natural, Not So Nude, and Dare to Bare.  I don't own any Stila products, except for a trio I purchased a few years back {and have never used}.  I loved the products when I swatched, I'm just not sure about their quality, any thoughts?

Anyway, I left feeling defeated, but not empty handed... Oh no!  I got a few little goodies.

Smile




From left to right: Maybelline Color Elixer by Color Sensational Lipgloss in Petal Push, NYX Butter Gloss Sweet Temptations Trio - Éclair, Cherry Pie & Apple Strudel, NYX round lipstick in Paparazzi, & NYX Roll-on Eye Shimmer in Pink {for a fun Valentine's Day look}, NYX Blush in Bourgeois Pig.





post signature

2.05.2014

L'Oreal EverCream Intense Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner


I just did a review of the L'Oreal EverCream Cleansing Conditioner, if you haven't read it, or purchased the product yet… what are you waiting for?!  Because I love that product so much, I decided to try the L'Oreal EverCream Intense Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner {roughly $6.00 each}, mostly to see if I could save anytime in the shower.  This system claims to be for "dry to very dry hair," they also have just a "Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner" for normal to dry hair.

Lately, I've been all about my sleep, but with work and going back to school, it feels like I'm not getting any!  I give myself roughly 30 minutes every morning to get ready, and haven't quite mastered the "shower before bed" thing yet.  I purchased my shampoo and conditioner at Walgreens and couldn't wait to get home to try them.

The Claims
Here are the claims from Ulta's website:
EverCreme Intense Nourishing Shampoo gently cleanses and deeply restores lost moisture. The intensely nourishing formula instantly wraps each strand with rich moisture, leaving very dry hair healthy-looking and manageable without weighdown.
Introducing formulas so gentle, yet so nourishing. Free of harsh sulfates, and heavy coating waxes Evercreme Sulfate-Free Moisture System, with natural Omega-3 & 6, infuses moisture without weighdown. These triple action conditioning formulas leave hair luxuriously soft and shiny while natural botanicals invigorate the senses.
  • For dry to very dry hair
  • Triple action hydration; No harsh salts
  • Paraben-free; Sulfate-free; Natural botanicals
  • 100% vegan--formula not tested on animals, no animal byproducts
  • The claims were very similar to those made for the EverCream Cleansing Conditioner.  I was excited to try it.  All I have to say is, what a disappointment!  I won't even bother making a pro and con list, because there were no pros!

    The shampoo had the same "claiming to be vanilla" smell the cleansing conditioner has, but the conditioner did have a more pleasant scent, which was more like vanilla and less like the formaldehyde/snicker-doodle scent.  The shampoo was a typical sudsing shampoo but didn't feel as "creamy" or as thick as shampoos I'm used to using… it felt almost watery.  As every shampoo has done since I started using the Cleansing Conditioner {including my beloved but expensive Pureology Hydrate}, it made my hair feel dry, straw-like and tangled after I rinsed it.  I couldn't wait to use the conditioner.  Whenever I wash my hair with the Pureology Hydrate shampoo, I look forward to the silkifying effect of the conditioner.  It takes that tangled mess and smooths it out and makes it soft… it's like a nice moisturizing bath after a day playing in the mud…

    I slathered on the conditioner, from root to tip and let it sit for the usual two minutes…  I ran my fingers through it, and… nothing.  So I rinsed it.  My hair still felt dry and straw-like, and was still a tangled mess.  I conditioned again, for three minutes this time.  Same result.  Are you kidding me?!  Even a $2 bottle of Suave conditioner makes my hair soft and smooth, even if it is greasy and weighed down!  I conditioned a third time, for two more minutes, and then quit.

    When I got out of the shower I grabbed my tangle teaser.  I couldn't even run it through my ends!!! Anyone who has a tangle teaser knows that thing is a miracle tool, it combs through anything without breaking the hair… and it got stuck.  I grabbed my Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Tri-Wheat Conditioner, Agadir Argon Oil, and tried again… I could comb through my hair, but it was rough.

    After blow-drying, my hair felt super dry, and straw-like It looked really dull and had zero shine.  It had no volume, was flat and wouldn't hold curl.  I saturated it with oil and leave in conditioner, and left for work.  After school, I went to my brother's house so my sister-in-law could give my ends a trim.  "Wow, your hair is super dry!  Maybe use a K-Pak when you get home..."  

    Don't get me wrong, my hair is color treated, so my ends do get a little dry, but I would never describe myself as having "dry hair"… it's oily for sure.  Needless to say I was annoyed.  I went straight home after my trim, and applied my K-Pak Protein Reconstructor for five minutes, and then the Intense Moisture for another ten minutes.  I then let my hair air dry and coated the ends in coconut oil.  I left the oil all evening and all night, and rinsed it out in my shower this morning.

    I shampooed with the cleansing conditioner this morning and used my Pureology Hydrate conditioner on the ends… my hair is back to normal, smooth, soft, tangle free and shiny.  I was really disappointed, as much as I love the cleansing conditioner, the Intense Nourishing products were anything but.  The bottle claimed it was for people with "dry to very dry hair."  If it had such a terrible drying effect on my oily hair, I can only imagine what it would do to someone with "very dry" hair!  I returned them this morning and will never repurchase.  Never.


    post signature

    L'Oreal EverCream Cleansing Conditioner


    I mentioned in a few of my YouTube videos {over a year ago!} that I was going to review L'Oreal EverCream Cleansing Conditioner… and I still haven't.  I've been using this product for nearly two years, so I figured it's probably time!

    I, just like any beauty product junkie out there, have spent many sleepless nights watching Chaz Dean work his magic on the Wen Cleansing Conditioner informercials.  I was always curious, but never brave enough to pull the trigger and buy the $30+ non-shampoo…  Then one day my mom purchased it.  I tried it… once… and hated it.  Mostly because (1.)  I didn't really know how to use it and (2.)  It had silicone in it.  

    Us fine haired beauties can't use products with silicone, nope, not even all those Frizz-ease products.  While they're intended to make the hair look shiny… it just makes my hair look greasy.  Anyway, my mom hated Wen as well.  It's not a fair conclusion, especially because I only tried it once, but for $30 I expected it to work magic!  I still loved the idea of Wen though...

    I don't know how I even came across this L'Oreal Product, I never use "drugstore" shampoos and conditioners, so I can't imagine I was perusing the shampoo isle.  I have fine hair, but because it's color treated, so I need a lot of hydration but not something that will make my hair stringy and flat.  I've come to discover that Pureology's Hydrate line is the only system that keeps my hair from becoming too dry or damaged.  I've used it for years {5+ years}, and occasionally switched to a Biologe shampoo/conditioner.  I love Pureology products, so it was going to take a miracle for me to switch, but an inexpensive alternative would have done it.



    The Claims
    L'Oreal Paris' website has the following statement on their EverCream Cleansing Conditioner:
    "Tired of dry hair? Discover a gentle, luxurious regimen to nourish and moisturize your hair without the weighdown. EverCrème Sulfate-Free Moisture System is free of harsh sulfates and heavycoating waxes. It uses botanical ingredients with Omega- 3 & 6 and a triple action conditioning system to moisturize naturally. Hair is left completely nourished for incredible hydration, softness and shine."
    Ulta's Website makes the following statement:
    "This one-step wonder product is an ultra-gentle, yet powerful combination of 1/4 cleanser + 3/4 moisture. It's low-lather cleansing that reduces friction of the hair fiber to help minimize breakage. This innovative, ultra concentrated triple action conditioning formula, with Omega-3 and 6, leaves hair super soft and nourished without weighdown. You're one step away from luxuriously soft, manageable hair. Perfect for all dry hair types.


  • Low-lather
  • Sulfate-Free
  • Triple Action Hydration
  • No harsh salts
  • Paraben-Free
  • Natural botanicals
  • 100% vegan"
  • I purchased the cleansing conditioner at CVS for roughly $6.00.  I was skeptical to say the least, but went home immediately to try it out…  As you'll see in the claims made by manufacturers and sellers, this shampoo is "sulfate-free."  I've heard all about the sulfate-free trend for years, but didn't know much about it.  So I looked into it.  Sulfate-free shampoos don't have foam producing agents in them, while these agents aren't "dangerous" as some reports claim, they do cause hair to be dryer and color fade more quickly.  Essentially, a sulfate-free shampoo makes curls curlier, hair shiner, and color last longer.

    But even with the sulfate-free claim, I wasn't sold… My Pureology claimed to be sulfate-free and the shampoo still created glorious suds in the shower {sure to the Sodium Lauryl Sulfoacetate}!  EverCream Cleansing Conditioner also claimed to hydrate hair without weighing it down, minimize breakage, and leave the hair soft and shiny…

    The Process
    To test it out, I first watched a Wen video on YouTube to get instructions on how to use a cleansing conditioner…  This was SUPER helpful.  Most shampoos, I pour in my hands, create a lather, and slapt it on my hair.  I sort of just "gloss over the surface" without doing much work, and voila!  My hair was cleaned.  Cleansing conditioners however are SO different!  Because they don't later, it feels like washing your hair with conditioner…  No one conditions the same way they shampoo, they really have to work the conditioner into the scalp and hair instead of just "gloss over" it.  The process is similar with a cleansing conditioner.

    So to start, I parted my hair down the middle from forehead to scalp.  I used one pump and evenly distributed it along the part.  I then made another part 1/2 way between the center part and my hairline on the right side, and applied another pump's worth of product. Then I applied another pump  Along my hairline.  I repeated this on the left side.  I then took another full pump and worked it into my ends.  Almost immediately, I was amazed by how soft, de-tangled and manageable my ends became!  It was like I was conditioning them!

    I then started to massage my scalp along the crown, down the back, and the sides.  I spent a good few minutes on this… Again, because it didn't lather, I wasn't sure I was getting all of my hair cleaned.  I worked my scalp until I was sure I'd covered every inch.  I ran my fingers through the first inch or so of my roots to make sure they were clean as well, and then I rinsed.  

    Normally when I use shampoo, my hair becomes a big ol' tangled mess and feels a little bit dry.  It's not until I rinse the conditioner that my hair lays down normally.  After rinsing the cleansing conditioner, my hair laid flat against my neck/back and I could easily run my fingers through it without tangles or resistance!  Uh.may.zing!

    Now with this product, you don't "need" a conditioner.  It says to just use the product from the nape of your neck to you ends a second time… so I did, and rinsed again.  Another key to this product is in the rinse.  It's important to rinse the hair until the "water runs clear."  Originally the water will have a white tint to it, so really rinse and work your hands through your hair until the water is clear to make sure everything is out.  

    I got out of the shower, and used my tangle teaser to comb through my hair.  Usually, after I shower, I spray my hair with a leave-in conditioner {Healthy Sexy Hair Soy Tri-Wheat Leave In}, and my Agadir Argon oil before brushing it out.  This time I didn't use either and I was dumbfounded at how easily my hair detangled.  

    After blow-drying my hair was soft, manageable, shinier than normal, and had more volume, even without mousse!!  My ends were a little dry, so after that, I still used my Hydrate conditioner on the ends for extra moisture.

    The Pros
    It works!  All of the claims proved to be true.  My hair was shiny, soft, tangle free, my color has lasted longer, and I don't use as many moisturizing, de-taingling products as I did before.  I don't use mousse anymore because I don't need to.  I've also noticed that my hair is growing faster, probably due to the scalp stimulation from massaging, and my hair is healthier and has much less breakage than it ever has!

    The Cons
    The L'Oreal EverCream Cleansing Conditioner is amazing… but after two years of using it, there are some "cons," however none of them, {or all of them combined for that matter} are enough for me to stop using this product.  
    • Smell.  The first time I used this product I was totally put off by the smell and figured maybe I got a bad batch.  It smells like a cross between burnt snicker doodles, and formaldehyde (remember dissecting pigs in Science lab?!).  It doesn't stay on the hair, but it's not pleasant.  I with they would use essential oils like tea-tree or lavender {like Pureology does} to improve the smell.
    • Time.  Because this isn't a "slap it on, rinse it off" product like I've found most sudsing shampoos to be, I definitely spend more time in the shower.  I HAVE TO take the time to massage my scalp and my hair to really "scrub" the dirt and oil out.  Sudsing shampoos seem to just rinse that stuff away in their bubbles.  Because it's so hydrating, I can go longer in between washes, so I take full advantage by only washing every other day or every two days to avoid all that extra time in the shower.  
    • Amount. I've discovered that I use more of the cleansing conditioner than I did shampoo.  When I'd dispense my shampoo, one pump {or a quarter size} would be fine.  However, with the cleansing conditioner, I use roughly 6+ pumps of product.  Luckily, it's inexpensive and on sale a lot, because I go through a bottle roughly every month.
    • Residue.  when I first started using this product, I lived in an apartment where my bathtub and shower were combined…  I want to preface by saying that now that I have a separate bathtub and shower, I don't notice this anymore…  Anyway, my old shower/tub drain was a little wonky, and would fill about 1/2 inch with water every time I showered.  I would notice that the cleansing conditioner would leave a pinkish-yellow spiderweb like residue on the walls of my tub once that water drained.  It wasn't a big deal, I just had to clean my shower more often.
    • WTF Factor.  The last con, I like to call the "WTF factor."  That's because about 1 out of every 10 times I use this product, after I've blow-dried my hair I say "WTF?!  My hair looks more greasy than it did before I washed it!?!"  This is 100% user error, and not a con of the product, but it's something I feel I need to mention.  I mentioned in the "process" section that this is different than using separate shampoo and conditioner.  So, the process for cleansing the hair is different.  If I don't take the time to really clean my scalp and roots, if I don't use enough product, or if I don't thoroughly rinse the product out, my hair will end up greasy.  It really does feel different even before I blow-dry.  It's tangly, stringy, and feels heavier… it looks like I put conditioner in my hair and didn't rinse it…  Ick.

    Overall
    I love this product!  LOVE!  I've used it for two years and don't foresee using anything else.  Occasionally I'll shower knowing I don't have the time to use it, so I'll got back to my Pureology Hydrate.  As amazing as that shampoo is, and as expensive as it is, it now makes my hair feel straw-like and tangled!  I'm really not a fan!  I've grown used to the smell, and if I know I have a quick morning, I'll wash my hair the night before to avoid the WTF factor.  Like I said, there is nothing I mentioned in the "Cons" that will make me change my mind about it.  It's amazing… My hair has never been healthier, longer or stronger, and I know it's because of the L'Oreal EverCream Cleansing Conditioner!

    ★★★★☆
    4 out of 5 stars

    Be sure to stay tuned for Part 2 where I review the  L'Oreal EverCream Intense Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner!


    post signature

    1.02.2014

    New Blog | Update your feeds!

    I needed a fresh start, so I'm now writing at:

    www.LoveyDoves.net

    Come say hi!
    post signature

    3.19.2013

    My Everyday Makeup Routine

    I love makeup, it's no lie.  I collect it, I play with it and I even make blog posts and YouTube videos about it...   With all of the different products I own, I could do a different makeup look everyday from now until forever. But the truth is, even I have a routine.  There's just something about finding good products and combinations of products... it gives me a sense of calm.
    I'm usually running late in the mornings, and knowing that I can wake up and pop on my face in five minutes is glorious... especially because I know it will look good!  I've gotten lots of questions, so I decided to film a video about how I do my makeup errday{cue Drake & Lil Wayne}... unless I'm trying something new...





    Products Used:
    Face:
    Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfecter BB Cream Combo/Oily
    Revlon ColorStay Concealer
    Bare Minerals Matte Foundation
    Bare Minerals Bisque Undereye Concealer
    Nars Bronzer in Laguna
    Bare Minerals Faux Tan Bronzing Powder
    MAC Mineralize Blush in Dainty
    Eyebrows/Eyes:
    Rimmel Scandalize Eyeliner in Nude
    Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Naked
    Too Faced Shadow Insurance Primer
    MAC Blanc Type Eyeshadow
    MAC All That Glitters Eyeshadow
    MAC Texture Eyeshadow
    MAC Brown Down Eyeshadow
    Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Burbon
    L'Oreal HIP Mascara Blackest Black
    Lips:
    NYX Mega Shine Lipgloss in Beige
    or
    Rimmel Lipliner in East End Snob
    and MAC Creme Cup lipstick
    or
    Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Raspberry Pie


    post signature

    3.13.2013

    St. Patrick's Day Makeup Tutorial

    Blow those bagpipes, and dance like a banshee  because I am CELEBRATING over here!  It must be true, the Luck o' the Irish, because normally, I am late for everything!  But check it, I was able to get this St. Patrick's Day Makeup Tutorial filmed, edited, and posted just in time for people to see it, learn it and do it! If I could, I'd give my self a little pot o' gold but maybe I'll settle for a congratulatory kiss from Muscley Arms?!  

    Let's be honest, when it comes to makeup, I'm a neutral lover.  Beige, tan, brown, and naked are the staple colors in my makeup collection, with a little bit of pink thrown in the mix.  But every once in awhile, when I'm feeling a bit mischievous  I'll throw some green in to the mix!  Green makeup is seriously underrated!  It looks great with EVERY eye color and can still pass as a neutral {No joke, did you know even camouflage, one of this Springs hottest trends, is considered a neutral?!}  I've done this look for the past two years, and I still get really excited about it... Maybe I should wear it more than just as a holiday look?  If you're not a fan of green clothing, or if you don't own green clothing, check out my tutorial for a look that will help you avoid getting pinched this St. Patrick's Day!  

    {PS. Stay tuned at the end of the video for some super sweet footage.  This is what happens when I'm not aware the camera is still on!}





    Products Used:

    Eyes:
    Too Faced Shadow Insurance
    NYX Jumbo Eye shadow Pencil in Cucumber {Lime will do just fine}
    Coastal Scents 88 Palette 3A {Spring Green color} and 2B {Yellow color}, black
    MAC Blanc Type
    MAC Tet-A-Tint
    Urban Decay Eye shadow in Mildew
    Urban Decay Eye shadow in Naked
    Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Perversion
    Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Mildew
    Tarte EmphasEYES Gel Eyeliner in Black
    Maybelline the Rocket Mascara
    L'Oreal HIP Mascara

    Cheeks:
    MAC Mineralize Blush in Dainty

    Lips:
    NYX Lipliner in Pinky
    NYX Megashine Lipgloss in Beige



    post signature

    3.12.2013

    Makeup for Tired Eyes | Tutorial

    Daylight savings time... ugh!  As much as I love that extra hour of sunshine, and the excitement for long summer days, I dread loosing that hour of sleep...  How can it be that loosing one little hour of sleep can be so detrimental to my day, mood, health {I seriously got a migraine on Monday!}, etc.?!

    While doctors recommend eight hours of beauty sleep each night, this girl requires 9-10!  But, who am I kidding, no one has time for that much shut eye.  On mornings I wake up feeling less than refreshed, I turn to my trusty friend, makeup, to help me fake an "I slept all night" glow!

    I know that most women think that the key to tired, red eyes is lots of dark eye shadow and eyeliner, but that couldn't be further from the truth... {Is it further or farther?} Further!  When I get a good night's rest, my skin is luminous and glowing, and my eyes are bright, it's as if I don't even need makeup!  In the video below, I'll show you how to create this look!





    Products Mentioned:

    Preps:
    Garnier Anti-Puff Eyeroller
    Dermalogica Welcome Matte Oil Free & Mattifying Moisturizer

    Face:
    Revlon ColorStay Foundation for Combo/Oily Skin
    Revlon ColorStay Concealer
    Rimmel Scandalize Eyeliner in Nude
    Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment Concealer in Brightener
    L'Oreal Magic Lumi Concealer
    Bare Minerals Faux Tan Bronzing Powder
    Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Pink Frosting
    Revlon Nearly Naked Pressed Powder

    Eyebrows/Eyes:
    Urban Decay eye shadow Single in Naked
    Two Faced Shadow Insurance Eye Primer
    MAC Blanc Type
    Lorac Pro Palette Champagne {or Lt. Bronze} & White
    Urban Decay Naked Flushed Palette {bronzer}
    Bare Minerals Big & Bright eyeliner in Midnight
    Maybelline the Rocket Mascara

    Lips:
    Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Sweeheart Valentine


    post signature

    3.06.2013

    Wanna Get Naked?

    No no no, not that kind!  My mother would be appalled if I engaged in such behavior on the Internet; and Muscley Arms?  Let's just say that hunk of manly beef cake would be on the prowl for a new leading lady!  Trashy women?  Ain't nobody got time for that!
     
    I'm talking about a naked face.  Yep, that's right, I've got a new makeup tutorial today that I'm appropriately calling the Naked Face!  It's an everyday, wearable look made almost entirely of Urban Decay Naked products!!!  Hope you likey!

     
      
     
     
    Products Used:
     
    1.  Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation
    2.  Revlon Nearly Naked Pressed Powder
    3.  Urban Decay's Naked Flushed Palette
    4.  Urban Decay's Naked Eyeshadow Palette {Virgin, Naked & Buck}
    5.  Urban Decay's Naked 2 Eyeshadow Palette {Foxy & Chopper}
    6.  Urban Decay's 24/7 double eyeliner in Zero & Burbon
    7.  - umm apparently I forgot about #7...
    8.  Urban Decay's Lip Junkie lipgloss in Naked
    9.  Urban Decay's 27/7 lipliner in Naked
    10.  Maybelline The Rocket Mascara
    11.  L'oreal Extra Volume Collegen Mascara

    post signature

    3.04.2013

    Update your browsers!

    Sorry for the inconvenience...

    But, because I was away from Blogger for so long, I didn't realize the interface changed so much...

    To be honest, I don't like it and I don't want to learn to use it!!!

    www.MissPrissMorgan.com will still be my blog website address once the conversion is complete, but right now I'm working on switching over to Wordpress!

    For now, my blog can be read at: MissPrissMorgan.blogspot.com.. you know, the "vintage" site name!

    post signature

    3.01.2013

    It's time for a redesign...

    Sorry for the construction...
    Here's a little something I'm working on...

     


    post signature