Product Reviews - Fantabulously Frugal Archive

Archive for the ‘Product Reviews’ Category

Beauty Reviewed: Murad Skin Perfecting Primer

by Lisa on May 21st, 2012

I received a sample of Murad Hybrids Skin Perfecting Primer in one of my many beauty sample boxes and I have been using it for a couple of weeks now.

I’m a big fan of primers because they help create a better canvas if you’re going to apply more face makeup. Truthfully, I don’t wear face makeup so on occasion this would be the only product on my skin. For ME, this product was great. The primer is tinted and luckily it blended right in with my skin tone. Some other people might not be so lucky because you don’t get to choose the color of the primer, so it could easily be much darker or lighter than your own skin tone. I read on the Murad website that this isn’t a problem if you wear it underneath other makeup, but you may not be able to wear it alone like I can.

Since I haven’t been wearing it under other products, I cannot attest to how well the color blends. I can tell you that for my skin the primer helps balance out some uneven skin tone areas, and also makes my skin feel quite smooth. All told, I’d probably give this product 3.5 stars out of 5. Generally speaking, I like when my primers are a little more moisturizing. The one I have is supposed to help combat acne, so it’s a little on the drier side. I’m not using this product to combat acne, but the comments on the Murad website say it’s a great product in this regard!

If you’re interested in checking out the Primer – or anything else at Murad – now is the time because there’s a Murad Friends and Family Sale taking place through the end of the day tomorrow, May 22, 2012, and you can get 20% off your entire Murad order! You’ll also get free shipping on your order! Use code “SAVE20″ at checkout to receive the 20% discount.

The Murad Skin Perfecting Primer above costs $35 normally, but with the Murad friends and family discount the price drops to $28. Still pricey, but if you’re going to try it, best to try it with a discount!

Click here to shop the Murad Friends and Family Sale now!!!

Hunting for the Perfect Bridal Shower Dress at dressbarn

by Lisa on May 14th, 2012

dressbarn was a fan of my post about dressbarn dresses to wear to a summer wedding, and offered to treat me to a dress that I could wear this summer to a wedding I’d be attending. I told them the only wedding I will be attending this summer is my own, so perhaps I could stop by dressbarn to find a dress to wear to my upcoming bridal shower, and they were completely game.

Mary, the store manager {I went to the store at 6193 N Lincoln in Chicago}, and her crew were so cute when I stopped by two weekends ago. I think they brought me the entire store to try on, which was definitely enlightening. They provided so much feedback that I felt like I was shopping with my best friends. They encouraged me to try a couple of dresses I never thought I’d like, which is how I ended up with the flowered dress below.

While dressbarn offered me one complimentary dress, I wound up purchasing an additional two dresses! Honestly, I just couldn’t decide which dress I loved the most out of the three dresses. I thought I would wear one to my bridal shower and one to the rehearsal dinner and have one just for fun, but now that I’ve looked at the pictures I think it’s clear that two are clearly more flattering on me.

I picked up these three dresses {please excuse the crappy iPhone photos taken in the dressing room}:

I thought this Ruffle-Hem Polka Dot Dress {$49.99} looked really flattering when I had it on and I loved the on-trend polka dot pattern, but now that I see the picture I’m not so certain. I still love the dress but I need more of a defined waist, so I might be returning this one.

I wasn’t certain about this Watercolor Rose Tank Dress and Cardigan Duet {$59.99} because it’s not something I’d normally pick up for myself. I’m not normally a pattern person and certainly not a flowers person, so I’m happy that Mary insisted I try it on. I purchased it because I really liked the way the skirt fit and flared. It almost has a 50s quality to it. While this was originally my “just because” dress, I think this is the dress I’m going to wear to the bridal shower.

This Ruffled Wrap Dress {$49.99} is by far my favorite dress I picked up. {I also recently featured this dress in an Emma Stone Steal This Look post!}I originally intended this for my bridal shower, but now that I’m looking at the pictures I think I’m going to wear it to our rehearsal dinner. My photo is abysmal so you can’t really tell just how vibrant this dress is. I absolutely love it and can’t wait to throw on some fun accessories to wear with it!

I’ll post again next week to let you all know which dress I ultimately decide to wear to my bridal shower!

While I walked into dressbarn prepared to walk out with nothing but my free dress, I was completely surprised by the quality of the dresses and doubly surprised that I walked out with not one but three dresses in hand! Sure, I’ve posted about this store before because I liked their styles, but there’s something to be said for actually getting out there and trying things on for yourself. I’ll definitely be adding dressbarn to my line-up of sites to try out on a regular basis!

Have you found any good steals at dressbarn lately?

Beauty Reviewed: Frownies

by Megan on May 11th, 2012

Frownies Gentle Lifts Lip Line Treatment

What are Frownies you ask? Well, believe me, I asked the same thing! Frownies basically work as a “splint” for your lines and wrinkles. Interesting, right?! See a how-to here. ”Frownies are the alternative to fillers, and chemical injectable products, developed Gentle Lifts to fit comfortably around the lip area.”

I despise needles, so anything that can make my wrinkles go away with me injecting myself is a ok in my book! Also, I love the fact that these products aren’t tested on animals and contain no parabens, polysorbate, or fragrances. You all know I love me some chemical free products!

(more…)

CakeStyle Review – Part 2

by Dory on May 9th, 2012

Read Part 1 of my CakeStyle Review

After two weeks, I finally recieved my CakeStyle box – a huge brown box FILLED with fun stuff! I got a little nervous when I saw an online review saying your personal stylists will send 4 to 6 outfits valued between $2,500 to $3,000! My initial budget was only $150, but thanks to a well-timed GiltCity deal, it turned into $300. I was thinking I might only be able to keep one thing!

To watch my stylist Kait talk about the pieces she picked for me, click HERE: CakeStyle.com/DoryLarrabee. Initally, I loved looks 1, 2, 5 and 6. I wasn’t a fan of looks 3 and 4.

Some of my favorite dresses I recieved:

My pile of accessories!

The list of everything I recieved with a value of over $3,200!

After you recieve the box, you have to ship back the items you don’t want within 10 days. It actually took me a couple nights to try on everything I got and really think about mixing and matching and deciding what I wanted to keep. As you can see, the prices aren’t exactly cheap, so I knew I was going to have a tough time picking my favorites.

Please read my final CakeStyle Review post on Friday to see what I kept from my box!

Beauty Reviewed: Juice Beauty Oil-Free Moisturizer

by Lisa on May 7th, 2012

I’m going to keep this review nice and short.

I received a sample of Juice Beauty Oil-Free Moisturizer in one of my recent beauty subscription boxes. I took the moisturizer on a recent trip with me and used the moisturizer twice and I was absolutely not a fan. In fact, on the second day of the trip I was sad I didn’t have another moisturizer to use instead of this one.

The reason I don’t like Juice Beauty Oil-Free Moisturizer is because it went on VERY sticky and then my face felt sticky all day long. I had the exact same results two days in a row, which tells me this product is just not for me.

A 2 fl. oz. bottle of this moisturizer costs $28 and it is Certified Organic. It just didn’t do the trick with my skin.

Do any of you use this moisturizer? If so, you probably think I’m way off so I’d love to hear how the product works for you!

Review: LAMO Footwear Hot Pink Moca’s

by Lisa on May 7th, 2012

I was recently contacted by LA-Based LAMO Footwear about reviewing a pair of their summer-weight sheepskin shoes, and of course I couldn’t resist. I have a mild obsession with sheepskin and wear my sheepskin boots year round. {Yes, even during the summer. Not because I look cool – because obviously I don’t – but because they are oh-so-comfy.}

I received a pair of hot pink LAMO Moca’s, which are embellished with nailhead studs on top of the foot and also on the back.

I absolutely love the way they look. I am obsessed with bright footwear, and these fit the bill perfectly. Hot pink shoes are always eye catching, but add on some nail studs and they’re amazing. Flashy, yet comfy.

What I liked best about these shoes was the sheepskin insole. I was prepared for my foot be be warm all day, but that couldn’t have been further from the truth. My feet just feel great whenever I wear these and I’m happy because I feel like I’m secretly wearing slippers around as shoes.

My only complaint about the LAMO Moca is that the suede is not very flexible. This, I know, is not necessarily a bad thing as it means the suede will hold up for quite awhile. However, I have wide feet, so it took nearly two days of wear for the suede to loosen up enough so that it wasn’t pulling tightly across my right foot. {My left foot was fine!} Truthfully, if I were to get another pair I would probably go up a full size. These feel a little small to me and I don’t think going up a size would be too much of a problem at all. They’re not likely to go flying off. As it is, I’ll just keep working in my pair to get the perfect fit.

Sheepskin shoes can be expensive, but these mocassins cost just $69, which really isn’t too bad of a deal. These are high quality shoes that I’m certain I’m going to have for years to come. In my opinion, the combination of hot pink and nail studs will never go out of style.

LAMO Footwear • $69

Beauty Reviewed: The Body Shop Elderflower Cooling Eye Gel

by Megan on April 12th, 2012

Quite a few months ago, Groupon offered a deal for The Body Shop that I totally took advantage of. Up until that point, I hadn’t ever bought anything from there, so the sales girl and I had a field day! One of my main concerns when trying new makeup and skincare products is my eyes. They are super sensitive. They also are puffy and annoying on a daily basis (stupid allergies), so when the sales girl mentioned trying The Body Shop Elderflower Cooling Eye Gel 0.5 fl oz, I was skeptical.

My skeptism has soon gone by the wayside. Folks, this stuff is amazing. It is unscented, so that’s a huge plus. Once, I bought an eye gel and the scent was so strong that it made my eyes burn. That was a bad day… Anyways, I can’t tell you enough how much I ADORE this stuff.

A little trick that I do is put a jar of this in the fridge. It is very cool and refreshing! Also, I despise getting out of bed in the morning. By applying this cold, not only does it relieve my puffy eyes, but it wakes me up.

The jar is 0.5 oz, so it’s perfect for travel, too. Although $10 may seem like a lot for an eye gel, I assure you a little goes along way with this stuff. And you will be hooked!

What’s your go-to eye gel?