Product Review: Garnier BB Cream, C

Happy Friday, y'all! Up on the product review docket is Garnier's new BB Cream. I received this pretty little tube as a BzzAgent and was pretty jacked to give it a go. You can find this product in a multitude of drugstores for $9-$12 per 2.5 oz. tube. Let's discuss, shall we?

About Garnier BB Cream Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector:

Is it right for me?
Skin concerns, such as discoloration, dullness, blotchiness and dryness can come from a number of different sources. It's hard to find just one product that addresses them all. Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector B.B. Cream immediately and effectively fullfills your skincare expectations with just one multi-benefit product that combines intense moisturizing skincare + immediate skin perfecting coverage for skin that looks naturally more even, radiant and smooth.

How is it different?
It’s a new idea in skincare. B.B. Cream is a hybrid formula that offers advanced skincare + immediate skin perfecting coverage in one single beauty product.

How do I use it?
Gently apply Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector B.B. Cream to face and neck prior to sun exposure for instant coverage and correction as well as for protection. Reapply as needed.

My Review:

The Good: I fully appreciate a multi-use product. This cream has SPF, good-for-your-skin ingredients and simply packaging. The fewer steps I have to take to prep my skin, the better. Plus, the price is affordable considering all the perceived benefits and uses.

The Bad: The product was pretty thick and felt like a mask on my face, i.e., my skin couldn't breathe. And I did experience a few breakouts from it. Plus, the coverage is minimal, so don't think this will replace your foundation or even your tinted moisturizer. There's also a pretty heavy scent.

The Verdict: C from me. I wanted to like it, but the cream is too heavy for my skin and I felt like my pores were suffocating and thus, suffering. Perhaps this would work better on someone with less sensitive skin?

Currently Craving: Tangerine Jeans (dammit, Kate Middleton)

Oh Kate Middleton. Whatever you wear is going to be news, whether it's a hoodie or a ball gown. But she really amped up the air waves when she sported a pair of "tangerine skinny jeans" a few weeks back while in London visiting the women's Olympic field hockey team.

Photo via: Chris Jackson - WPA Pool /Getty Images

Normally I'm not one to go all monkey see, monkey do, but as soon as I saw a picture of these jeans on Ms. Middleton I was all over it. Yes, my crazy little brain said, you NEED a pair of skinny jeans just like that for spring and summer. Just imagine how many ensembles you'll be able to put together around those magical jeans.

So I did it. I bought some tangerine jeans (well, pants). An affordable pair, I might add. I shopped around and snagged BB Dakota's Maddox pants in Poppy from Karmaloop.com.

BB Dakota Mattox Woven Pant

My thoughts? I like them. Do they fit as well as a pair of JBrand skinnies? Not really, but with this bright of a shade, I'm happy with them. They stretch, they flatter and they fit. And what to wear with them you may ask? Let me count the ways...

Tanks by Delia's
Sandals at Bloomingdale's

Do you have a crush on tangerine?!

Product Review: Cover Girl NatureLuxe Gloss Balm, A

Ah, drugstore goodies. The situation: I had limited time, a couple bucks and a dream of a sheer lip balm. Enter Cover Girl's NaturalLuxe collection. $12 later I walked out with two shades: Grenache and Anemone.

Grenache is a creamy, pale mauve and Anemone is a vibrant coral with plenty of red undertones.

About NaturalLuxe Gloss Balm: 
Get the sheer color and shine of a gloss with the soft, lightweight feel of SPF 15 balm. Fortified with mango and shea butter, this feel-good formula leaves your lips feeling decadent and delicious.

• Luxurious, sheer color with a hint of shine
• Contains decadent mango and shea butter
• Soft, lightweight feel
• SPF 15

My review:

The Good: Yay for SPF, fun shades and affordability. The product keeps your lips soft and supple and the shades are super friendly for just about anyone. This is truly a tinted lip balm with a decent color payoff.

The Bad: Not a surprise, but this is not going to remain on your lips for long. It's a balm, yo, not a 12 hour lipstick.

The Verdict: A all the way. Total drugstore score.

Fabulous Freakin' Friday: Hunger Games Premiere!

Are you excited for the Hunger Games, because I am. If you haven't read the books - do eet! The LA premiere showcased some gorgeous fashions and is the basis of today's Fabulous Freakin' Friday!

First up, Jennifer Lawrence in Prabal Gurung. Um...gorgeous! That shiny gold can't be easy to wear, but girlfriend is *killing* it! The back is edgy, the fit perfection and the hair and makeup is golden and a bit undone. Love it.

Photo via Tony Gonzalez/Everett

Elizabeth Banks in Atelier Versace. This tangerine color is the bombdotcom. Her simple hair and makeup let the dress shine and I love the nude sandals to elongate the leg line. She looks fresh and pretty. 

Photo via Vince Flores/AFF-USA

Leslie Mann in Monique Lhuillier jumper. While Leslie isn't in the film, she looked chic at the premier. I love the gold epaulets on the shoulders and the streamlined fit of the jumper. It's the perfect ensemble to attend a premiere as a guest, not a featured actor or director of the film.

Photo via Jordan Strauss/WireImage

That's today's Fabulous Freakin' Friday - hope everyone has a great weekend! Happy St. Patty's Day!

Celebrities. Comebacks. And Fashion.

I try not to talk too much smack about celebrities. I don't know them, so it's frankly not very fair to completely unload on them. However, when celebs act like brats, idiots, and/or jerks, sometimes I just can't help myself. Regardless, I'm always a fan of a comeback - especially when it comes to style.

Enter Lindsay Lohan. Girlfriend is only 25 years old and has been to hell and back. And apparently she's trying to make a *comeback.* Again. Legal, moral and ethical issues aside, I've always been a huge fan of her red hair. Thus, I was pretty pumped to see that she very recently (finally) ditched the fried, platinum tresses and went back to her strawberry roots. Um, that's a 100% improvement already. I dig that jacket, too.

Photo via X17Online

Another chicky who's been know to amply fill the category "hot mess," is Tara Reid. I'm not going to reminisce, but TR is in the soon-to-be-released American Reunion movie and she looks pretty lovely at the Australian premiere. Am I predicting that she'll all of a sudden earn herself Academy Award nominations and inspire world peace? No. But that gunmetal gray gown is a good start.

Photo via Scott Barbour/Getty

And, of course, no comeback post would be complete without some Britney Spears. Gone are the days of a shaved head mama, blasting an SUV with a golf club. She's revamped her life, reworked her music and probably found some really helpful meditation and medication. Plus, she seems to be happily engaged to her boo, Jason Trawick.

Photo via Bauer Griffin

So, what say you: Which celebs have made (or should make) a comeback - fashion or otherwise?

Product Review: Sonia Kashuk Brush and Sponge Cleanser, A

Washing zee makeup brushes is a fairly annoying yet very important task for every skin and eye conscious, makeup wearing lady. And while I've probably spent most of my face painting life washing my brushes with mild hand soap and warm water, I decided to try out Sonia Kashuk's variety via a recent Target run.

You can snag this 5.1 oz. spray bottle in store or online for $6-$7.

Info via Target:

For healthier skin and perfect application, keep your makeup brushes and other accessories clean with this brush and sponge cleaner from Sonia Kashuk.

My Review:

The Good: It's compact, it's very affordable and if you follow directions it really cleans your brushes without damaging the bristles. I recommend spraying a bit on the bristles and gently massaging the product through to remove any makeup residue, get it frothy, then rinse well.

*Note - always lie your brushes down on a flat surface to dry. Do not store them in a cup - bristles up - to dry. You'll rot the bottom of the bristles and potentially ruin your pretty brushes.

The Bad: Can't think of anything less than great. It does its job affordably and well!

The Verdict: A all the way. If you aren't washing your brushes at least every few weeks, get some of this and get on it. It takes 5 minutes and it will leave your brushes and your face happy, clean, and soft!

Gifting Grace: Pretty Awesome Gift Site, 50% off!

So, I may be super late to the party, but one of my awesome colleagues recently introduced my to Gifting Grace, a pretty fantastic site dedicated to gift shopping! They have items for the kiddos, dudes, ladies and more. And in every category, too. From home, to activewear, cosmetics, jewelry and more. Best part is? The items are extraordinarily well-priced. Think brands like Stila, Timex, Timbuk2, Prana, Betsy Johnson, Kenneth Cole, So Low, and many more.

The gift options are just super cool. I was especially impressed with the myriad of neat iPad and Kindle covers. And I may have purchased a few gifts for myself while I was shopping for others. That's just a risk I was willing to take.

Even better? They ran a friends and family sale throughout the month of February in which your entire order was 50% off with the code febfamily. The code was supposed to be live only through February 29, but they've decided to extend the discount through March 7! Rock on and shop on, friends.