Shiny Hair REVIEW: Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Serum vs. Fantastic Sams Spray Shine

 

Every girl seeks out the perfect way to obtain flowy, shiny hair, right? Well I currently own two products that I had bought because they claimed to make give my hair a nice, healthy shine. Here are my thoughts on both!

Name: Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Weightless Anti-Frizz Serum
Where You Can Get It: Drugstore
Price: Price will vary but at CVS it is $6.29
Claim: "It contains nutritive fruit micro-oils to tame frizz and flyaways.Weightless conditioners improve texture and manageability for all hair types."
My Experience: This is definitely NOT weightless! It is a super super greasy product and does nothing but make your hair oily! It smells okay though.. it is sort of a heavy/ not-very-fresh citrus scent. I also had a friend who tried this product and she feels the exact same about the greasiness. For her though, she couldn't get it out of her hair! It took her like 2-3 days to wash it out!
How I Make It Work: I will sometimes apply this to the ends of my hair when my hair is still damp from the shower. This way it doesn't weight down my hair as much because some of it evaporates with the water since I air dry my hair.

Name: Fantastic Sams Spray Shine
Where You Can Get It: Hair Salon
Price: $8-10
Claim: "It contains an exclusive blend of pro-vitamin, soy protein and silicone that helps strengthen and smooth hair while adding incredible shine."
My Experience: This product is definitely better than the Garnier Fructis one. I was really timid to try another shine product after the first one because I figured they were all going to make my hair heavy and greasy. When I asked the lady at the salon about a shine spray, she recommended this to me. There is definitely silicone in this and it makes my hair sort of waxy.. but nonetheless still smooth and shiny. The spray has a light citrus scent to it that smells like a mix of oranges and silicone. lol This also has UV protection in it so that's great!
How I Make It Work: I think this works well all over on dry hair but sometimes I apply it on my roots after my hair is damp from a shower. Only use ONE spritz though because your hair will get oily if you apply too much product! I spray this about a foot and a half away from the top of my head and run my fingers through my hair once it has all settled.

So if I had to recommend one of these products, I would definitely go with the Fantastic Sams Spray Shine.  

But I'm still on the lookout for a good shine spray so let me know if you have any recommendations!! :)

REVIEW: Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips

So I got a test strip of the Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strip because it was included in my Seventeen magazine last month. If you were to purchase this in full size, a box comes with 8 strips and costs $7.99. I finally decided to use my sample strip though because I'm starting to get a zit on my nose. So I was like okay lets see if I can clear it up with these deep cleansing strips. And honestly, all I can say is that I hate this product.. sooo much.

Instructions: Wet your nose and then put the strip on your nose. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes and it will dry like paper machete.

My experience: The strips harden on your face to the point that the paper feels thick. I kept it on for the longest recommended time (15 minutes) and when time was up, the strip was incredibly hard to take off! Literally, it was like pulling duct tape off my face or something. It actually hurt so much that I started crying a little from trying to take this off (natural tears). Even worse, the product did absolutely nothing to help me with my incoming zit.. My nose is still just as red as it was before I put this on.. It claims that you will see the removed dirt on the strip after you take it off your nose but there was absolutely nothing on mine.. The strip looked exactly the same as it did before I applied it.

Decision: I highly do not recommend this product. haha

REVIEW: e.l.f. Beauty Book Smokey Eye Edition/ HELP on my e.l.f. Shopping List!

Hey everyone! So today when I was chilling with my mom, I was talking to her about the e.l.f. Beauty Book palette in the Smokey Eye Edition because she bought this about a month ago. She told me that she bought this because of the reasonable price and because she needed a decent black eyeshadow. This was limited edition and you may not be able to find it anymore.. I think they still sell it in Ross and TJ Maxx stores though for $5! Anyways, this contains 12 eyeshadows, 1 black eyeliner, and 1 sponge applicator. (Pictures of the Beauty Book are from http://plustique.blogspot.com/)

The shades outlined below are the only shades that I liked. They were highly pigmented and not as chalky as the other ones. The black is actually pretty high quality. It has a bit of shimmer in it but has super long stian power. I swatched it on my hand and then rubbed my hand under running water and it still did not all come off. I'm loving the silver as well as it has a metallic finish. I however did not try out the eyeliner or sponge applicator so I can't way anything about that.

So overall, I would not recommend this palette. The other colors besides the ones in the yellow outline are nothing special at all and don't give off much coloration.

Alright, so now for the part where I need your help. My friend and I are going to order some e.l.f products online in a week and I am oober excited! Here is what I am planning to buy. I have done a fair amount of research on each item so this may help you if you are planning to order from e.l.f. soon, too! I would really love if you could tell me whether or not you have tried the product and what you thought of it! I would also love the hear recommendations for great products!

 



e.l.f. Essentials Eyelid Primer (my friend swears by this!) and False Lashes- $1 each

    

  

e.l.f. Essentials Flirty Eyelash Palettes- $3

(Look how gorgeous the ones with gems are!)

 

                        e.l.f. Essentials Natural Lash Kit and Mechanical Eyelash Curler- $1 each

    

e.l.f. Studio Complete Coverage
Concealer in Medium- $3

 

e.l.f. Studio Blush in Candid Coral- $3

   



e.l.f. Studio Cream Eyeshadow in Dawn- $3

e.l.f. Essentials Shine Eraser (comes with 50 sheets)- $1

e.l.f. Essentials Lipstick in Classy and Seductive- $1 each

e.l.f. Essentials Super Glossy Lip Shine in Goddess, Malt Shake, and Watermelon (the first two look the same online but they are not in person)- $1 each

e.l.f. Essentials Foundation Brush- $1

e.l.f. Studio Powder and Concealer Brush- $3 each

e.l.f. Essentials Zit Zapper- $1

Whew! Okay, so I know I am buying alot but I really want to take advantage of the amazing prices!

PLEASE let me know what you think about a product if you have tried it before!! Your help is much appreciated! :)

International Day Video!

Hello! So yesterday, I organized an International Day for my school! It was "dress as your heritage" themed and there was an international buffet, Chinese acrobat performance, fashion show contest, and a video presentation. We raised $230 from the buffet to donate to countries facing natural disasters! This is the video that I showed and personally edited! Please watch it and take into account how many people of different countries come together in times of need or celebration. There is so much that we can learn from each other especially when we come from different cultures. Part of the reason why I love having a blog is because I get to talk to people from all different countries! I hope you enjoy this video and take the time to acknowledge those who are different from you and hopefully learn something from them!
- Emily

Here are some pictures from International Day!

Here are some of my friends and I dressed as our heritage. lol

Chinese acrobats performed at our school!

Here are all the people who participated in the fashion show! I was the host! :)

Here I am pictured with the winner of the fashion show who was representing Bolivia!

Tell me something unique about your culture in the comments!

TAG: How Much Is Your Face Worth? (Prom Version)

So I was recently tagged by Beauty Blogger Bri to this post!

What you do is add up the prices of each makeup product (not including skincare) that is a part of your average routine, and the total is the "worth" of your face! Since I change up my makeup routine a lot, I decided to do this post on my Prom face! However, you can do it on your usual routine!

Here was my Prom look and my date!

Revlon ColorStay Foundation in the shade 350 Toast $13 (By the way, this stayed on all night through the humidity, dancing, and sweating!! Best foundation ever!)

Maybelline Dream Mousse Concealer in Medium Beige $8

Profusion Palette (for silver eyeshadow on the lid and blush) $6

Lancome Sensational Effects Eye Shadow in "The New Black" in the crease $17

For all over lid shimmer, MAC's Mineralized Eyeshadow Duo in Mayhem (I used the silver glitter side) $19.50

Lancome 3-D Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner on upper lash line $29

Wet N' Wild Mega Eyes Creme Eyeliner in "886 Black" on lower lash line $4

MAC False Lashes "36 Lash" $14

 Avon Ultra Color Rich Metallic Lipstick in "Sparkling Mauve" $7

Clinique Long Last Glosswear SPF 15 in "Fireberry" $14

Total=  $131.50

  

I tag Elise from BLUSH IS THE NEW BLACK and Chelsea from Finding a new me to do this post!

Long, Medium, and Short Lasting Makeup!

When I watch makeup review videos, the thing I listen for the most is the staying power of the product. I have oily skin and sweat easily so usually throughout the day my makeup will start smearing or wearing away so stain power is very important to me! Therefore, I have brought you this post and I hope you find it helpful!

Boutiques.com!!

I think I was watching one of Queenbeeuty's Youtube video and after she mentioned boutiques.com that finally pushed me to make an account after hearing so much about the site from other people! I know that other Youtube stars such as Elle Fowler (Allthatglitters21) and Blair Fowler (Juicystar07) also have accounts.

How it works: The whole site is revolved around personalizing and finding items to fit your style. Basically making an account is completely free and at the start, they show you pictures and you choose which one is more your style. It then asks what styles, colors, and patterns you love and hate and it then matches you with clothing and accessory suggestions. If you don't like an item, you can click the hate button and that will remove it for you. By clicking the "save" button, it will add the piece to your favorites! If you really love an item then you can click on its picture and it will take you to its website where you can order the item!

Click the link below to check out my personal boutique! Or insert in the search bar the name "EmilyDD".
http://www.boutiques.com/lunr?storefront=&boutique_id=827305
If you follow me on boutiques.com then I would love to follow you back too! I haven't quite figured out how to make my boutique perfect yet but it's a work in progress! :)

Here are my top 3 favorite items I have discovered so far with boutiques.com!

You can also look at the favorites of celebrities and stylist! Overall the site is really fun and a great way to get inspiration! It is like having your own personal store!

If you already have an account then leave me the link below & I will check it out! I would love if you could follow or comment on my boutique! <3

Drugstore Haul!!

Hey everyone! So I went to three different drugstores over the last two days and found some great stuff!

First on Saturday morning, I went to CVS because I wanted to pick up some basics that I had been doing without because I am going to college in the fall and would love to look flawless for my first year. haha

• I got the Revlon Colorstay Combination/ Oily Skin Foundation in 370 Toast. I think that is a pretty good reference to show you guys how dark my skin is. lol The foundation costs $12.97 so I am really glad that the color perfectly matches my face! I'm not sure why but I think the formula for the Normal to Dry Skin costs $13.50; just heads up.

• Next I got the Wet N' Wild Mega Eyes Creme Eyeliner in 886 Black. This only costs $3.99! I wish the packaging was more interesting..

Next in the afternoon, I went to Family Dollar store because I had to get something for a project but was luckily surprised by some items that caught my eye! The gold earrings were $1 and the butterfly earrings costs $2.

And then this afternoon, I went to Publix with intentions to buy a deoderant but could not find one that smelt good! :( However, I did end up getting two things!

• The Covergirl Ultimate Finish Liquid Powder Makeup (my color is 455 Soft Honey) costs $6.99 and I saw this for the first time when my friend used it on an overnight trip. By the way, DO NOT BUY THIS AT CVS! It is more expensive there and costs $9 or more! Also, don't be fooled by the picture, there is indeed a big mirror with this product!
• The Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Stress Control Power-Clear Scrub (why the long name?! lol) costs $5.89 and I got this because 1) I'm in need of a new face cleanser and 2) my friend at camp used this and she had flawless skin!

You can count on a lot of reviews coming soon!! Let me know if you have tried any of these products and what you thought of them! Also, if you can, I would love if you could suggest a good deoderant to me! lol