MEET YOUR STRETCH MARKS HEAD ON – Mederma Stretch Marks Therapy
Photo Credit: Mederma
Mederma® Stretch Marks Therapy – I have used Mederma in the past on bumps and bruises, so I paid attention when I heard about this new product. It is  specially formulated to improve the appearance of stretch marks and soften the skin around them. The creamy formula contains a blend of ingredients plus the botanical extract Cepalin®, hyaluronic acid and centella asiatica leaf extract. The trick is that you have to apply it evenly and massage it in a circular pattern into wherever your stretch marks show up (thighs, butt, tummy, knees, etc.) twice a day which is a lot. It gets absorbed pretty easily, but I find that I forget to do it in the morning (like I need one more thing to do get ready at 7 AM….) so end up doing at night only. My skin is definitely softer and it feels nice to use so I will stick with it.
FINAL VERDICT: BOB (Beauty on Budget) - Mederma® Stretch Marks Therapy comes in a super large tube with a generous 5.29 ounces or about a one month supply depending on how religiously you use it. About $39.99 (which is about a quarter of the price of that famous stretch mark cream…..) www.drugstore.com
ILLAMASQUA ROCKS & ROLLS
Photo Credit: www.sephora.com
ILLAMASQUA IS ALL ABOUT BOLD COLORS – DEFINITELY NOT FOR Â SHY TYPES
Illamasqua from London is pure drama – the polar opposite of natural, light effects of mineral makeup and neutral colors. The colors are STRONG and memorable, and made to last. Â I love the way they talk about “alternative cultures” – sounds like code for drag queens to me. llamasqua was originally aimed at film and stage makeup artists, but is now available for every gal (and crossdresser) at Sephora in the US and Selfridges in the UK.
If you have fair skin like mine, the color palette might be a little overwhelming. However, you can go for a Kristen Stewart in Twilight look if that’s what you want, but there are some amazing products for night and every day wear too. Try the Cream Blusher – with Illasmasqua, you need to start with the palest colors and work your way up as you want to. I like Lies, a pale, pearlized pinky shade that looks good on lighter complexions. The Powder Blusher is also long wearing. Expose or Lover have the effect of Nars classic Orgasm blush and are peachy colors, depending on your skin tone. Â I haven’t tried the Eyeliner Cake yet, but the colors look perfect for a cat eyed look with an angled brush. Â Zeal is a jade green shade that I have my eyes on (pardon the pun).
Without a doubt, my favorite Illasmasqua products are the nail varnishes which are amazing. Illamasqua nail varnish in Ruthless (a pin-up red color straight out of the 40′s) is my fourth–and counting–polish by the brand. I am addicted. Â Aside from the lavish color palettes, the best part about these polishes are their long-wear. As of now, I’ve had Ruthless on for one week, and I still don’t need to touch up my paintjob! Â At $12 a pop, the nail colors are a little pricey; but, isn’t having triple-lasting polish worth it? Not to mention all the money you’d save on bimonthly manicures…
Coming soon for Spring – Pastels for Nails. Can’t wait!
TKO MAYBELLINE VS BRUCCI CLEAR TOP COAT
BRUCCI NAIL HARDENER in CLEAR (No. 28) - I was in desperate need of a top coat, and found this at my local Duane Reade– and for only about 3 bucks! At first I thought it was a great find! It kept my nail color super shiny, and it seemed like it made the polish last longer too. But after a week of using it, the Brucci nail hardener started getting thick and gloppy. When I used it on my nails, it didn’t go on smoothly at all. Instead, I got an uneven and irregular surface  even though it was still shiny. I thought perhaps it was just a defective bottle, so I bought another one, and the same thing happened with that bottle as well.  The price is right but the quality is just not up to par – so I guess you do get what you pay for even with top coats. I learned my lesson.
FINAL VERDICT – BEAUTY ON A BUDGET (BOB) –  In a pinch the Brucci does work, but only for a few uses. You would have to buy this top coat twice as frequently as any other drugstore brand of clear polish, so it wouldn’t end up being such a bargain afterall. I guess you really do get a better bang for your buck if you choose a higher quality product. I switched to Maybelline Express Finish Advanced Wear Anti-Chip Color, Base & Top Coat 10 – for just $3.29 and it does everything I need for around the same price.
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