Stila Aqua Glow Perfecting Primer

As mentioned in a previous post, I recently picked up the Stila Perfecting Primer on a binge trip to my local Ulta and have been trying it out. I got asked for more information on how it performs, so here it is!

Summer Beauty Haul: Stila Aqua Glow

Summer is almost here! So excited for warmer weather, sunny days, cold lemonade, ice cream, and summer beauty products. Stila has a great line out right now, and I picked up some goodies at Ulta recently. Here they are!

Clean-Out Post: Too Many Body Lotions!

A couple weeks ago, I ran out of my favorite body conditioner. I didn't feel like making a long drive in either direction to get to the nearest store, so I went online to order a replacement. The price, which I'd conveniently forgotten, made me cringe. It was $32.95. I bought it anyway because I'd been using it nearly every day for months, especially since getting pregnant. But it got me thinking... how much lotion and body conditioner do I own, and how much do I use?

This week I went around our master suite with an empty cardboard box, collecting all things moisturizing from my nightstand, dresser, bathroom counter, and shower. The results were astounding:

If I used all of these, I wouldn't be concerned... but many of them are old and dusty, or don't get used because I just don't like them. Why on earth am I keeping them?! It's time for a Clean Out!

Sick Day Beauty Essentials

Few things are worse than catching a cold that makes you feel like you've been run over by an 18-wheeler. And this week, it was my turn to get knocked on my rear end.

Pink Week: PopSugar February Must Have Box

Today's post for Pink Week here at TRB is about this month's PopSugar Must Have Box!

Let's open 'er up, shall we?

Pink Week Review 1: L'Oreal Youth Code

I was getting my camera set up with a few things to post on the blog soon when I noticed a trend - and so Pink Week was born!  This week at The Reasonable Blog we're celebrating beauty-related items that are all shades of blush and bashful. The first post is L'Oreal Youth Code. Let's jump right in!

Product Review: Covergirl Bombshell Volume mascara by Lashblast

Covergirl has a new mascara on the market - Bombshell Volume. Given the popularity of the other Lashblast mascaras, I was excited to give this one a try. Let's first take a look at what the product is supposed to do… then let's see what kind of results I got!

Bombshell Volume is unique because it's a 2-step process in one mascara. The first step, which is unlike other primers that are clear or white in color and meant to add length to the lashes, uses a wand that is short and rubbery, putting color on the lashes.

The second step, which uses the same color, has a regular wand with longer bristles. In these two steps, your lashes are supposed to look thicker, longer, and more luscious.

While it is convenient for the two steps to be in the same tube, I want to point out that this mascara is a behemoth! Here is the tube next to a quarter:

So keep that in mind if you have smaller hands or like mascaras that are easier to hold and control.

Now onto my experience - complete with REALLY CLOSE pictures!

New Herbal Essences Naked Shampoo & Conditioner

Images courtesy of Herbal Essences (Proctor & Gamble)

This month, Herbal Essences is releasing their newest line of haircare products: Naked. Naked has three product lines:

• Naked Volume
• Naked Moisture
• Naked Shine

I was able to snatch up an early-release set of products from the Naked Volume line, which is perfect because volume is definitely something I need help on! The set includes four products:

• Naked Volume Shampoo
• Naked Volume Conditioner
• Naked Volumizing Souffle (aka mousse)
• Naked Volume Dry Shampoo

The Volume line also includes a hairspray ("Flexible Hold Spritzer") but my set did not include that, so I won't review it here. If you're interested, the set can be purchased for $12.99 (USD) here. (Pro tip: Go through ebates.com to get 4% cash back, making the price $12.47, which is decent for four full-sized haircare products! CVS in my area has these normally priced at $4.99. Keep reading to get my thoughts...

Fortune Cookie Soap Box: Nightmare Before Christmas Edition

One "subscription box" service I wanted to check out was Fortune Cookie Soap. I don't love Bath and Body Works (mostly due to to overwhelming and synthetic fragrances), and Lush is great but I tend to spend a fortune there. So, I wanted to give something new a try, and I'd heard good things about FCS!

The Fortune Cookie Soap Box is a sampler of themed products that is delivered to your door 4 times a year. It can include bath bombs and melts, body lotion, antibacterial hand gel, soap, and so on. All boxes include 8 items, and cost $19.99 if you're in the US, $34 international.

My first box was the Nightmare Before Christmas-themed winter box. Keep reading to see what was included, and my thoughts on everything!

Urban Decay Naked3 Palette and a Reasonable Recant

I admit it. I was wrong.

I said I wasn't going to buy the Naked3 palette. "It's too redundant," I said. "I don't need it," I sighed. "Too pricey and ridiculous!" I wailed.

Then I got a VIB credit to Sephora and caved. Here are my [honest] thoughts. Bear with me while I try to be as thorough as I can. There are a million reviews of this palette online right now, so I'll mostly stick to the basics and pictures (including swatches).

Quick Review: Maybelline Clean Express Makeup Removing Wipes

I picked up several items from the Maybelline Clean Express line (more on the others later), but I wanted to share my thoughts on these wipes very quickly.

Splurge Pore Cleansing Face Masks - Origins vs. GlamGlow

Lately I've noticed that my pores need a little extra attention, probably due to wearing fuller coverage foundations more often. I decided to try out some face masks that specialize in removing the crud from pores and helping cleanse the skin without sucking out all moisture. If you follow me on Instagram (here), you may have seen that I got a sample of the Origins Clear Improvement active charcoal mask to try, and [spoiler] I liked it well enough to buy a full size.

I'd heard rave reviews about the GlamGlow Supermud mask, and had been eyeing it at Sephora for quite some time. So, when I had a 20% off coupon, I picked one up to try out. Although the effects were also good, I have to admit that the Origins mask wowed me more.

Read below for my thoughts on each and recommendations on where to spend your money! Note: I have dry skin that can be sensitive in that it's easily reddened, but I am generally not acne-prone. Keep that in mind when reading my thoughts as your mileage may vary.

Great Kisser? A Lip Balm Review

I've written before about my search for a great lip balm. I need something that moisturizes, smoothes, and tastes/feels pleasant. I don't want anything too waxy or goopy. And these days, it seems like most products either do nothing, or are so thick and goopy that they make the situation worse.

I've searched high and low, and when I saw that Soap and Glory had a balm, I was excited to give it a go! Their scrub is fantastic, and I even like their Clean on Me body wash. So their balm should be good… right?

Marc Jacobs Style Eye-Con Lolita Palette

Every now and then, a splurge comes along and you just can't help yourself.

This is that splurge.

Sigma Brushes: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

We've all seen the blog posts.  The YouTube videos.  The pictures on Instagram.  Sigma brushes are everywhere.  A company has gone from being a virtual unknown to a cosmetic powerhouse in a matter of months.  Even I have posted praise for their brushes!  And they are good... but are they worthy of the hype as of late?

One honest [virtually unknown] beauty blogger's opinion ahead...

2013 Spring Sample Challenge Post 1: John Masters Organics

Hi everyone! I'm back with an interesting little self-challenge I thought I'd share with you all. We have all heard the term, "Spring Cleaning," right? Well, sometimes that means more than just our closets, pantries, and the fridge. It's a good idea to take a look at your beauty products too!

I have a box where I've been throwing all my beauty samples that come in beauty subscription services, Sephora orders, etc. Some things get used right away, but others have been tossed aside for whatever reason, and the collection has been growing for quite some time now.

This spring, I thought I'd go through and start using these products. Who knows? Maybe a future holy grail product is laying in there, just waiting to be used?! I'll take pictures and blog about the products. If you all have tried some of these, comment - let's chat!

Onto my first review!

Review: Revlon Colorstay Smoky Shadow Stick

I don't know about you, but my lids need a primer for eyeshadow.  For years, I avoided wearing shadow because it always creased.  Every day at work, I'd go to the ladies' room mid-morning and stare in horror at my face.  It looked awful.  Long story short, I discovered shadow primer, and life has been peaches ever since.

There seems to be a recent surge in cream shadows and sticks on the market.  I know the NYX jumbo pencils have been out a long time, but lately it seems like a lot of drugstore brands have caught on to the craze.  A few months ago, I picked up two of the Revlon Smoky Shadow sticks (in Flare, light and dark purple, and Atomic, gold and green).  They work okay as shadows, but I didn't love them.  Then I heard about another color: Torch.

Revlon Smoky Shadow Stick in Torch

L'Oreal Infallible Shadows Review

After hearing a few very positive reviews on the L'Oreal Infallible Shadows, I finally caved and picked a couple up for my business trip.  I was across the country for a week for work, and I wanted to pack some shadows for versatile eye looks without packing whole palettes.  I thought these might be a nice option.

Up and Coming Beauty Bloggers Update!

Lola of Lola's Secret Beauty Blog reviews Le Metier de Beaute Empress Lip Kaleidoscope.

Harriet at Little Miss Student Beauty has reviewed her Crown Brush set!

Olivia of The Unknown Beauty Blog shows us how she "flosses between the pans" and depots without using heat!

Missed your chance to snag Sally Hansen's iconic blue shade Pacific Blue? Kelly over at The Reasonable Blonde has found an alternative that is nearly identical.  Check it out here, and happy polishing!

Rola at  Rola's Fountain of Youth shares her Current Favorite Winter Facial Moisturizers and she is now on Instagram!


Jeneille of Beauti by Jinjer spills the details of another photoshoot she worked on.


Lindsay at The Beauty Think Tank reviews the shades she thinks stands out from the rest in the Colorglide Lipstick range offerred at The Body Shop.


If you would like to be featured in a future Up & Coming Beauty Bloggers Weekly Report, please e-mail Lindsay at beautythinktank(at)gmail(dot)com.

Clarisonic Mia

I don't have acne.  Breakouts are rare.  When my rosacea is kept under control, I don't typically have any problems.  I'm a pretty lucky lady when it comes to my skin and acne.  But I am starting to age.  And I'm getting tired of red, uneven skin.  And dry skin in the winter makes me uncomfortable.