Aromas Artesanales De Antigua Luxury Hand Cream: Massage Me Like One of Your Guatemalan Girls

Metric Jenn

(This review may be a bit on the crazy side, as I am currently suffering back pain and the Doc gave me some sweet, sweet painkilling relief.)

I've been sitting on this product for about 3 months now. I bought it in Santa Barbara from this froo-froo hippie shop (don't ask me what it was called; I barely remember my own name). I was looking for more lotions to add to my hoarder-like collection at home. I smelled each lotion and made my choice based on how Lindsay Lohan-ish I felt. You see, I'd just visited the court house in which she was sentenced and it was like my Mecca.

Out of Africa Pure Shea Butter Lip Balm with Vitamin E

Dixie

When I see a new brand of natural lip balm in the health food store, it's hard to resist buying it. If it's on sale? Forgot about it. That lip balm is coming home with me. So it was with Out of Africa Pure Shea Butter Lip Balm with Vitamin E. Orange cream flavor, no less.

I've talked about my awesome all-natural cocoa and shea butter based promotional lip balms before, right? Right. I'm on my last tube *single tear*, so I'm on the hunt for a suitable replacement. I want a balm that will coat my lips nicely while actually moisturizing and that lasts a while. Oh, and I want one with both shea butter and cocoa butter. Not that I'm picky. A quick look at the ingredients tells me that this fits the bill. Now, will the proportions of shea butter to cocoa butter be equal to my favorite?

Sonia Kashuk Matte Oil Blotting Papers: Dewy Just Means Greasy

Dixie

Remember in the early 2000s when dewy, youthful skin was all the rage? Yeah, I hated it too. Since my t-zone tends to be a little oily, everything I tried ended up looking more like Oil Slick rather than Dewy and Youthful. So I finally gave up and went back to matte, and I discovered blotting papers along the way.

Ladies (and applicable gentlemen), blotting papers are your friend. Sonia Kashuk Matte Oil Blotting Papers are magical squares of delicate tissue that remove the oil from your face without trashing your makeup. A couple of times a day I can whip out a single white square of magic, disappear all the oil from my t-zone, and touch up my makeup good as new. So instead of going through my afternoon looking like an tired, oily hag I breeze on through looking a normal person.

Mirra Renew Exfoliating Cleansing Cloths: Pickle Juice?

Pinky McLadybits

I have been sick for nearly three weeks now. I totally manned up and waited until a couple of days ago to see the doctor, which is totally stupid. It also means that I have been lazing around the house for those three weeks, coughing until my buns are sore and my ribs feel cracked. It also means that I've looked super good. Did I type good? I meant LIKE DEATH. I HAVE LOOKED LIKE DEATH.

I still had to grocery shop and decided that I would be snagging some facial cleansing cloths to make myself feel a bit more human. Based on the dry skin accumulating around my tissue ravaged nostrils, I decided to go with Mirra Renew Exfoliating Cleansing Cloths. It was later that I realized these were Kroger brand cleansing cloths. Not that this mattered to me at all. Do they work? That is the question.

So Clean It's Scary: Bioré Steam Activated Cleanser

Rusty

I went through a weird period this summer where my forehead rebelled and decided to start sending me messages in braille. Given that I don’t read braille, this was a confusing decision and I wasn’t thrilled with having a forehead suddenly full of clogged up pores where once there had just been (mostly) smooth skin. I tried a lot of things to get through it, but what finally worked was Bioré Steam Activated Cleanser. 

Simple Sensitive Skin Experts Vital Vitamin Day Cream: Phew!

Pinky McLadybits

I needed a new face cream because I had run out of my samples from Birchbox and fall and winter are fast approaching. I can make due in the summer without much face cream, especially with the oil-cleansing method I use to wash my face. In the colder months, my skin tends to feel tight, full of flakes, and generally gross.

I have also noticed that my skin is more sensitive than it used to be. A purported gentle cleanser made my face a splotchy mess and even a BB Cream made a mess. The sensitive label and the coupon for $4 off the low $9.99 price tag are what made me pick up Simple Sensitive Skin Experts Vital Vitamin Day Cream SPF 15. (And now I'm out of breath. Damn long name.)

A Jack Black That Doesn't Pull Faces: Jack Black's Double Duty Face Moisturizer

Rusty

I ask very little of facial moisturizers. Mostly, that they absorb well and actually impart enough moisture to my skin so that it doesn’t feel like someone grabbed the back of my skull and pulled it tight. Sunscreen protection is a bonus. Jack Black’s Double Duty Face Moisturizer hits all the right notes*. 

Clarisonic Classic Skin Cleansing System: This is the Droid You're Looking For

Dixie

Everyone should have a robot to clean their face in the morning. No, really, I actually highly recommend it. Clarisonic launched their original Skin Cleansing System, henceforth known as the face robot, when I was in the middle of an acne crisis. After hemming and hawing at the price, I finally took the plunge, desperate to try anything to heal my face.

 

The story behind the development is interesting. The Clarisonic face robot was developed by a team of engineers and scientists led by the primary developer of the Phillips Sonicare Toothbrush. And, when you think about it, using the Clarisonic is a lot like brushing your face. To oversimplify the concept, you're brushing the dirt of the day off your face.Okay, it's a little more complicated and much cooler than that. The videos on the website show you how the sonic oscillations flex your pores to remove the dirt that is deep down in them. Pretty cool.

Birchbox Treats: DDF Brightening Cleanser

Pinky McLadybits

I have combination skin. That means that it can be oily while flaky, dry while having breakouts. It sucks. I blame using Sea Breeze in the late 80s and early 90s. Anyway, I have made Birchbox aware of this combination skin of mine, prompting them to send me this DDF Brightening Cleanser in my August box.

Let's point out the good parts about this product first, shall we? (Yes, I have a tiny Deadpool voice in my head, hence the we.) DDF Brightening Cleanser has a light, barely there scent that might be reminiscent of lemons or citrus, but it disappears too quickly for me to be sure. It also takes just a small, pea-sized amount of the possibly-citrus cleanser to lather up and wash my entire face. It also rinses off easily.

A Face Moisturizer for All Seasons: Alba Botanica Natural Hawaiian Oil-Free Moisturizer

Tamatha

I know, I know.  I'm like a broken record with the Alba Botanica products.  But listen, when you find a brand which consistently makes excellent products, there's simply no reason to risk a disappointing experience with another brand.  Besides, this was one of my first Alba products, so there.

As you may recall from my Pineapple Enzyme Facial Scrub review,  in the same travel kit which contained that scrub, I also discovered my favorite face moisturizer.  Technically, in that kit it was the Natural Hawaiian Moisture Cream, but when I asked for the full size of that for a present, the Main Squeeze chose the Oil-Free version, which turned out to be a good (easy-to-make) mistake on his part.

Norwegian Crap: Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Lip Moisturizer SPF 15

Dixie

My husband can tell you, I keep a tube of lip balm everywhere. One in each room of the house, by my bedside, a few in my purse, one in each car, even one in my daughter's diaperbag. EVERYWHERE.

I wouldn't say I'm addicted to lip balm because, frankly, to compare my need for lip balm to an actual addiction that someone could develop to drugs or alcohol is ridiculous. So, I'm not a lip balm addict, but I do get pretty cranky at the first sign of dry lips.

For the past few years, I've been working my way through a huge bag of promotionally marked shea and cocoa butter-based lip balms that my friend gave me back in our previous lives as pharmaceutical reps. (The perks of selling your life to the Mephistopheles that is Big Pharma? Cool swag!) I have to tell you, those are some good lip balms. In fact, they're the best I've ever used. But, I can't resist free samples with store products. The tube of Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Lip Moisturizer SPF 15 came as a free sample with...something. Maybe a tube of sunscreen for baby faces. I don't know. So, I figured it would give it a try and save myself the $4 it would cost me to buy a tube of good quality lip balm when my promotional ones eventually run out. *sob!*

Dry Goods Athletic Spray: Keep Your Goods Dry

Nora

Before reading this review, there's something you should know: despite running consistently for many years, I've never used any sort of athletic powder before now. I have no idea how this stuff is actually supposed to work. I mean, I know that it's supposed to prevent chafing and absorb moisture and all that jazz, but I have no idea how it stacks up against other products (my only experience with Gold Bond was finding it as a child in my parents' bathroom cabinet and mistaking it for baby powder). Just wanted to get that out of the way in case any of you guys are actually, you know, knowledgeable athletes (I'm more of the bumbling, haphazard sort).

Birchbox Treats: Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint

Pinky McLadybits

Birchbox always give me something that I can easily use on a daily basis. Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint is definitely one of those things. Much like the Kiehl's Abyssine Cream, the Jouer came in a tiny little container. It looked like enough moisturizing tint for me to put on my nose and nothing else. Also like the Kiehl's, the Jouer only took a little bit of product to cover my entire face and the tiny sample lasted much longer than I anticipated.

Sample Roulette: Korres Quercetin Oak Anti-Aging Night Cream

Rusty

I order from Sephora kind of a lot. Because of this I have a giant box of samples just hanging out, waiting to be used. This… is… SAMPLE ROULETTE. Due to the brief nature of the use, I will assign ratings as 0 (stay away) 4 (I liked it, but didn’t love it) or 8 (love it and will probably be dropping my own money on it in short order). Enjoy!

Anti-Aging products must be huge money makers for the companies that make them, because at least half the samples I’ve ever gotten have been anti-aging products. Aside from the problem that I’m testing these at the great age of 25 is the larger question of whether there’s enough of any of these products in a sample pack that you can use them long enough to see any genuine results. But, I’m here to evaluate my experience with the sample, not muse about what it all means so onward!

Organix Moroccan Argan Oil Body Lotion: More Like ORGASMIC.

Metric Jenn

Have you ever walked by something like a BAZILLION times and never really thought much about it? Or thought that it was something totally different from what it actually is? Or thought nothing of it at all? Yeah, those reactions and more were what I had for the longest time about this so-called Organix Hydrating Moroccan Argan Oil body lotion - and to Organix in general.

So of course, after years of dismissal, I picked up the bottle and really examined it. What I read obviously piqued my interest and I bought it, though I have to admit that I was sure it would be Inked and I could get all HULK RAGE SMASH on it.

I'm Loving Angels Instead: Lush Angels on Bare Skin

Rusty

While I am dedicated to the Hot Ink goal of trying new products and reporting experiences to all of you lovely people out there, there are products that I find myself returning to again and again. One of those products is Lush’s Angels on Bare Skin facial cleanser. While I’ve used other cleansers that I found work well, none have ever worked as well for me as this one. 

Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion Sunscreen SPF30: You Did The Best You Could

Pinky McLadybits

Full disclosure: I was selected by Influenster to receive a Summer Voxbox filled with products to review. I will be reviewing them whether I find them awesome or terrible.

Summertime. I thought perhaps we could remain in that little bubble of sunshine without humidity we had been enjoying. Alas, it was not meant to be and the heat was in full force on July Fourth this year. So much so that I was forced to wear my bathing suit and lounge in a small pool to stay cool. Since I usually stay in the shade, this meant I needed some sunscreen. 

Obviously, I chose the wrong SPF level with Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration Lotion Sunscreen SPF30. I am fair-skinned and the sun is hot and full of burning. That's not the sunscreen's fault, though. It is fully my fault. 

Emoji Micro-Pedi: I Swear You'll Love It

Cindy

So, I'm not really one of those mani/pedi girls. It's hard to explain, but I always feel weird having people "service" me. I've had several manicures now and I imagine my face has a forced, uncomfortable smile stuck on it the entire time. IT'S WEIRD LETTING STRANGERS TOUCH YOU.

As for pedicures, I have only had one and it about killed me. But that doesn't mean I don't want my feet to look nice; I'm not a HOBBIT, you know! I have always done my best to use pumice stones, scrubs, files and all that stuff they try to tell you will keep your feet nice and smooth. Most of them don't work very well. And whatever that thing is that people buy from the television, that scary thing that slices off your skin--don't even get me started. Who does that? If it's you, please stop. I've found the perfect thing to maintain your tootsies. Now, it also might sound a teensy bit scary, but listen to me carefully: this thing is gold and if you use it gently and carefully, everything will be just fine.

Terressentials Organic Flower Therapy Detoxifying Facial Cleanser

Dixie

For some time now, I have felt that my skin has been wrongly placed on me. See, despite claims to the contrary, I am not high maintenance nor am I a diva. My skin, however, feels that I am. Why do I make this assertion? Well, if I merely think about switching from one product to another or using anything with more than a basic cleanser, my skin throws a hissy fit. It gets dry in some places, oily in others, and breaks out in red blemishes. So as with most divas, I find myself giving in to it and just giving it what it wants.

My Face is a Drama Queen: Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion

Napoleanita

Have I talked about my sensitive skin enough? I don't think I have. LET'S TALK ABOUT IT SOME MORE. Because I have found the solution. Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion.


Basically, my skin is a whiny baby even in the summer. This lotion calms it down and keeps it happy without making me feel like I'm wearing some sort of wetness mask. It never causes breakouts and it doesn't smell like anything at all. I would slather my entire body in it, except that it's definitely on the pricey side. Luckily, you can usually find a substantial sample bottle in Sephora, which lasts me about two to three months of liberal application.