SteffiMara
Member Since: July 13, 2016Reviews
Love Beauty & Planet Coconut Water & Mimosa Flower Radical Refresher Body Wash
I received this product as a free sample for reviewing purposes. I've been using this product for the past 2 weeks and I've been pleasantly surprised with how much I like it! I've been faithful to a particular brand for many years because it's not... +
I received this product as a free sample for reviewing purposes. I've been using this product for the past 2 weeks and I've been pleasantly surprised with how much I like it! I've been faithful to a particular brand for many years because it's not full of chemicals, smells natural and didn't leave me dry. That "squeaky" clean feeling I really hate. So giving this a shot, I had high standards! The smell had to grow on me, but the longer I use it the more it reminds me of the tropics. It's a light, fresh smell that isn't over powering. It lathers nicely, and as I previously mentioned it doesn't leave you feeling like there is something left on your skin. It has a smooth silky texture, at room temperature. I found it jelly like when it was cold, but it still lathered and made me feel clean and hydrated. My skin is soft and I've had no over powering scent complaints. I'll definitely check out this line once my sample is gone. -
essie Treat Love & Color
I received this product free from Chick Advisor for review. I chose the color "A-game", which is a deep dusty burgundy. I paired it with another of essie's regular polish "penny talk" to compare wear (it just so happened that the colors complement... +
I received this product free from Chick Advisor for review.
I chose the color "A-game", which is a deep dusty burgundy. I paired it with another of essie's regular polish "penny talk" to compare wear (it just so happened that the colors complement each other very well!) This polish is an all in one, so I didn't use a base coat, nor a top coat. The polish applies like butter. It's a beautiful thick polish that you can almost get away with one coat. It dries quickly and I was able to resume my day within 15 minutes of applying the polish with no bumps or dents. The polish dries to a decent shine and seemed significantly darker once dry on my nails than it looked in the bottle. The brush isn't perfect. I found mine to be jagged and it took some maneuvering but the formula was really easy to work with so it was a little more forgiving of the jagged brush.
The first 2 days of the polish were flawless, there was no shrinkage, I didn't have any issues with cracking or chipping and this is all while going about my normal routine (Which includes washing dishes by hand) By the time day 3 came around there was noticeable tip wear of both the Essie TLC line and their regular polish. I was expecting more for staying power as I really don't see a difference between their regular polish and this TLC polish without a top coat. I think you can get away without the base coat, it has held on to my nail and it seems to be a decent strengthener (for the 4 days it's been on) but the tips wear and with my choice being a darker color I definitely notice the white line at the tip of my nails. Next time I use this color I'll reach for a top coat.
As a side note for those that do nail stamping. This polish is thick and stamps wonderfully! But I come back to use a top coat because the stamping was starting to rub off after 3 days. I've also attached some photos. The first coat (it covers very well in one coat!) Two coats which has stamping, and then after 3 days of wear showing the wear on the tips. Both lines of polish have near identical wear with no top coat. I usually get 5-7 days out of a manicure.
I was a little disappointed in the color selection. These are excellent fall colors, but coming up on spring I would really be looking for a bright full coverage color. I found these colors to be a little more dusty or sheer than I would have looked for in a spring line. Then again the swathes here don't do the colors justice. I'll be keeping my eye on this line!
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CND CREATIVE PLAY Top Coat
I received this top coat as a free sample for review from ChickAdvisor #gotitfree First off, I have high standards for a top coat. It needs to dry FAST and not mess up my stamping. Unfortunately this top coat didn't meet that criteria but I can... +
I received this top coat as a free sample for review from ChickAdvisor #gotitfree
First off, I have high standards for a top coat. It needs to dry FAST and not mess up my stamping. Unfortunately this top coat didn't meet that criteria but I can still recognize a good top coat when I try one. This top coat goes on smooth, dried to touch in about 10 minutes, they were good to go after about 25-30 without those smudges and dings. I definitely don't consider it "quick dry". Stamping designs on your nails, this top coat will smudge your lines even if when the polish is completely dry. I used a simple chevron pattern and the top coat smudged it significantly. I wouldn't recommend this top coat if you're putting any detail on your nail. if you're just painting the one color, it's great. Once the top coat is on and dry it feels strong and smooth. What I liked most about this top coat is that it doesn't shrink like serious fast dry top coats and leaves a lovely, glossy finish. If you have the time to sit and wait for it to dry, it is a quality top coat.
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CND CREATIVE PLAY Base Coat
This base coat was provided to me by ChickAdvisor, free for reviewing as part of the CND creative play 3 step system. #gotitfree This base coat didn't thrill me. They advertise it because it "enhances" the color of the creative play nail lacquer but... +
This base coat was provided to me by ChickAdvisor, free for reviewing as part of the CND creative play 3 step system. #gotitfree
This base coat didn't thrill me. They advertise it because it "enhances" the color of the creative play nail lacquer but I didn't notice a difference. I have since tried the color part of this system with my regular base coat and I still found the color vibrant. It didn't provide any change to my nails. The base goes on smooth, doesn't leave any hint of color (just a bit of shine) and dries quickly (about 2 minutes for me using a thin coat). If you have strong, healthy nails this is a fine base coat to avoid color staining. If you need a bit of nutrients or you're expecting this base coat to make the polish last longer I would spend the money elsewhere and get a formula that provides a tacky base to paint on, or give your nails that extra boost of nutrients to keep them strong and healthy.
I'll use my sample, but it didn't impress me enough to go and buy this base coat. For the retail price of it, I expected more
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CND CREATIVE PLAY Nail Lacquer
I received this CND creative play system (base, color and top coat) free from Chick Advisor in the color Peony Ride for testing purposes #gotitfree. I have never used CND before. I have over 100 bottles of nail polish and have been faithful to a... +
I received this CND creative play system (base, color and top coat) free from Chick Advisor in the color Peony Ride for testing purposes #gotitfree.
I have never used CND before. I have over 100 bottles of nail polish and have been faithful to a few brands. CND really never crossed my radar, until now. I didn't find the smell as strong as some of my other polishes. They advertise something about 400 bristles on their brush, but it's a basic brush. It's not shaped or anything special. I really didn't notice a difference in their brush. The top is a rounded square, so I found it easier to open the bottle, and also still comfortable to hold.
The base coat seems to be a standard base, if you're looking for something to protect your nail from discoloration this seems to work fine. It didn't strike me as anything special, I'll go back to my regular base coat when this one is gone.
The color is beautiful! First coat went on streaky, second coat evened out, and by the third coat the color was fully opaque. My first manicure I used 3 coats. I liked the coverage but it took a long time to dry and then hours later I was getting dents and movement in the polish, so I took it off and tried again with 2 coats. I still see my nail line, but you really don't notice until you're super picky.
Someone had mentioned they stamped with their sample, so I tried it too, but my color formula wasn't thick enough so it didn't turn out great. I did do some stamping on my manicure, this brings me to the top coat. Top coat goes on smooth, dried to touch in about 10 minutes, you could go about your daily routine after about 25-30 without those dents and dings. I definitely don't consider it "quick dry". If you're doing any stamping it will smudge your lines even after you wait for the polish to be completely dry. I used a simple chevron pattern and the top coat smudged it significantly. Once the top coat is on and dry it feels strong and smooth. It doesn't shrink like serious fast dry top coats and leaves a lovely, glossy finish.
After all that being said, the polish has lasted me 5 days with minimal wear. I've done my normal routine (cooking and dishes are usually hard on my manicures!) and day 5 is the first sign of the tips starting to wear. I would probably see nail growth before they were worn enough to paint again. I'm quite impressed with how well it wears.
I will definitely go for the color coat again. The range of shades and finishes are impressive, I find the smell less harsh than other brands and like I said before, it wears exceptionally well. (Especially since it's 7 free!) The base coat I could take or leave, the top coat is great, just not for stamping or if you're a busy body and need your polish dry in 3 minutes.
Thank you Chick Advisor, I have thoroughly enjoyed my opportunity to review this product!
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OPI Nail Envy Nail Strengthener
I have fairly strong nails, but sometimes my diet isn't great, I've been traveling a lot, I've had to do a ton of dishes. Lots of things change my nails. I had been living out of the country, my diet was all sorts of bad and I found it really... +
I have fairly strong nails, but sometimes my diet isn't great, I've been traveling a lot, I've had to do a ton of dishes. Lots of things change my nails. I had been living out of the country, my diet was all sorts of bad and I found it really wrecked my nails. When I came back home I read some reviews on nail envy and decided to splurge on the bottle. It is expensive, but I spend a lot less time cursing my nails because of it! I've gone through countless bottles in the past few years because I am now a die hard fan. My nails went from splitting and peeling back to their normal strong and long. While it's on the expensive side, it will get your nails situated and you'll be happy you didn't buy countless other cheap bottles to "try". Just get the good one and be done with it! -
BITE Beauty Agave Lip Mask
This stuff is definitely pricey. If you don't like the smell you're pretty much out of luck. However, my lips have decided to rebel and be itchy with EVERY kind of lip balm I try. This has never been an issue before, it's only been the last 2 years... +
This stuff is definitely pricey. If you don't like the smell you're pretty much out of luck. However, my lips have decided to rebel and be itchy with EVERY kind of lip balm I try. This has never been an issue before, it's only been the last 2 years or so. In a last ditch effort to have something nice (because lets be honest, how looks look carting around vaseline and coating their lips with it). This stuff is thick, thinker than vaseline if you can believe it, but it's staying power. ugh, lovely. It's a tiny tube and I'm not a huge fan of the cap because I drop it and lose it, but you know what, it's been a Godsend for my lips. I probably wouldn't have tired it if I wasn't having issues. The price tag is definitely a bit much, if you're just looking to try something different it doesn't seem to do anything extraordinary so I'd probably skip it, but if you're like me and everything makes your lips red and itchy it's worth a try! -
Batiste Dry Shampoo PLUS Beautiful Brunette
I have mixed feelings on this product. I tried it a handful of times and got decent results, but it's not for me. I used to a few mornings when I woke up and didn't want to wash my hair, I wanted to freshen up so I didn't look like I just rolled out... +
I have mixed feelings on this product. I tried it a handful of times and got decent results, but it's not for me. I used to a few mornings when I woke up and didn't want to wash my hair, I wanted to freshen up so I didn't look like I just rolled out of bed (although I did). I found the product still came out light, lighter than I expected for it to be for brown hair. It was almost a silver spray, but when it hit my skin it was clearly brown. It has a light smell, but nothing overpowering and seems to fade after a few minutes. It soaks/blends in fine, absorbs oils and did make it look like my hair was cleaner than it actually was. So that was positive and I would recommend it for that purpose.
I also tried it after the gym when my hair was sweaty, greasy and gross. It helped for the moment, I still needed to wash my hair that evening but I honestly wanted to anyway. I don't think it's meant to replace when your hair actually needs to be washed.
I found when washing my hair it felt dry, like I had been in a pool or salt water, it took a while to get out of my hair and for my hair to feel it's normal softness. This wasn't a big deal, a little bit of a pain, but I looked at it as still saving time because I didn't have to wash my hair the night before.
The reason I say this isn't for me is because I found it made my head itchy, which is odd because I've never been sensitive to anything. I've used other brands that leave a white powder that screams "I didn't want to wash my hair this morning" so I like that this stuff didn't leave evidence you could see. However the itchy head wasn't pleasant and I found myself washing my hair as soon as possible. I've rehomed my bottle to a fellow brunette and she's had a similar experience to me, minus the itchy head, so i'm confidant it was just something my skin reacted to. I would recommend others giving it a try because I liked what it did to my hair overall.
I've attached some pictures. One before, after the first spray and then a few minutes later after the product soaked in.
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NIVEA Essential Lip Balm
I liked a lot of things about this lip balm, it was smooth, lightly scented, not sticky and seemed to hydrate very well. I didn't like the lip gunk that appeared in the morning after putting it on before bed. It didn't seem to be a bad lip balm, but... +
I liked a lot of things about this lip balm, it was smooth, lightly scented, not sticky and seemed to hydrate very well. I didn't like the lip gunk that appeared in the morning after putting it on before bed. It didn't seem to be a bad lip balm, but after a few days my lip reacted to it and it was crazy itchy and dry. My doctor said that is probably something in it i'm allergic to and just had a mild reaction. It's not something that I would personally buy again, however my husband swooped as it kills him to waste things. He likes that it's "manly" He said so may lip balms are dainty and flowery it's nice to see something bigger (his hands are huge and he struggles with tiny removeable caps). It's simple and does the job he needs. So even though I am not sold, my husband is. -
Nivea Creme
This stuff is luxurious! Super thick, goes on smooth and is almost cooling. Fabulous light scent. I'm so happy to find a nivea product that works for me and my skin because I just love the scent. You require very little to cover your face. This... +
This stuff is luxurious! Super thick, goes on smooth and is almost cooling. Fabulous light scent. I'm so happy to find a nivea product that works for me and my skin because I just love the scent. You require very little to cover your face. This tiny tiny will last me longer than I originally thought because of how much is packed into this product. I didn't have any issues with breakouts, it left my skin soft and smooth. High praise for this creme! -
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