Review: Velour Lashes in Lash in the City

Hey everyone! This review is for these voluptuous Velour Lashes! I decided to buy these because I have a huge lesbian girl crush on LOVE Dannie Riel ;) I really wanted to know what kind of false lashes she uses, because they look amazing! A little googling and I found out that one of the brands she uses is Velour Lashes :) So naturally, I hadddd to try them!

Price: $34.99 (regular $64.99)

I opted for the style "Lash in the City"

 

What they say:

"Girls just wanna have fun! These lashes perfectly compliment a dark smokey eye. Designed with extra fur on the entire band to provide a dramatic and full look. This style also adds a touch of “wing” to the corner of the eyes. Shoes and martini’s shouldn’t be your only accessory."

More from their website:

Inspired by mink eyelashes custom-ordered by celebrities, Velour Lashes is dedicated to offering only the finest lashes on the market. Our mink lashes are individually handmade and guaranteed to be 100% authentic mink fur. We at Velour strongly believe that you shouldn’t have to be a celebrity to look glamorous like one. Synthetic eyelashes, although cheaper, are irritating to the eye, fake and unnatural when worn. In comparison, luscious mink fur looks and feels amazing; with proper care, mink lashes allow for up to 25 uses and last much longer than synthetic ones.

Lastly, our exclusive line of Velour Lashes is custom designed to offer a wide range of styles to achieve your desired look – at Velour, our goal is to make every woman feel that extra bit of beauty, confidence, and ‘oomph’!

You can keep your lashes in the cute packaging when not in use :)

  

The good stuff:

• Comes with its own super cute sturdy storage case
• Made from 100% mink fur, cruelty free (brushed from the live animal, then sterilized)
• No chemical processing or dye
• Super lightweight
• Flexible but stiff lash band
• Easy to apply
• Reusable up to 25 times
• This style is very long & full, yet "natural"

The low-down:

• Expensive!!!
• The length of the lash is very long. I had to trim of a lot to make it fit my eye.

My take:

I was expecting these lashes to be super luxurious because of the price, and of course they were! The shipping was pretty quick, less than a week via Fed-Ex w/ tracking from Canada. They come in a super cute and sturdy case which you can also use to store your lashes when not in use.

I chose the style Lash in the City because I read Buzzed for Beauty's review on this style and the Oops! Naught Me style, which I was originally thinking of getting. But Lash in the City seemed to be a better choice for me because they didn't look as uber long as Oops! Naughty Me.

I'm glad I went with this choice! These lashes are quite long and voluminous, yet natural in the sense that the spacing and wispiness mimics that of real lashes (or at least in my opinion LOL). I absolutely ADORE the look. I love long, bold lashes, so these fit my style perfectly :) I love how they curl upwards beautifully. 

 

The lash band is still yet flexible so applying these was a breeze! I favor stiff lash bands (most asian brand lashes) because it's a lot easier for me to apply and the lashes "stand up" better VS lashes with a flimsy band (most american brand lashes). The lashes are very very lightweight and I practically forget they're there (compared to the lashes I normally wear) because they're so light and comfortable!

My usual fav lashes are NYX Exclusive and Nostalgia layered together. I like these because they give a full and bold effect, but not necessarily a "natural" one. These lashes are "natural" in comparison because of their spacing and wispiness.

I love the length. Vavavoom :)

The main downside is the price and the length of the entire lash itself.

They are supposed to be regular $64.99, which I think is outrageous for one pair of lashes. I cringe when I spend over $5 on one pair of lashes. I wouldn't even go near Dollywink lashes which are around $15-18. So this was a HUGE splurge/risk for me (although they do have a 100% satisfaction guarantee and return policy). 

Since they were "on sale" at $34.99, I bit the bullet and bought in... and don't get me wrong, I am totally willing to pay ridiculous amounts for beauty products :P It seems like this "on sale" price is just the regular price, since they've been that way for awhile now. Not that I'm complaining of course! If it was $64.99 I most likely would NOT purchase. My gripe with this price is I think it's only that expensive because it's being touted as the new celeb "in" thing... Admittedly, it is supposed to last up to 25 uses, which is about 5x as much as regular lashes last, so if you look at it that way, it's like you're paying for, say, 7 pairs of regular lashes at $5 x 5 uses per pair. I personally usually get more uses out of my regular lashes, so we'll just have to see how long really these last me.

My other gripe is that the length of the lash itself is VERY long. Not made for asian eyes. So I had to cut off a very sizeable chunk off each lash in order for it to fit my eyes :( I cut off at the inner corners so now it does not taper off very nicely at the inner corners of my eyes. I guess this isn't a huuge problem in terms of the way it looks, but I just like the lashes at the inner corners to be a lot shorter in comparison to the rest of the lash... because I had to cut off so much it doesn't taper at all. So I would suggest to Velour Lashes that they make the length of the lash shorter, so people with smaller eyes like me don't have to cut off so much!!! It's like you're cutting off $$$ ;(

Would I repurchase/recommend?

Overall since these are supposed to last up to 25 uses, I don't see myself repurchasing these soon. I would only repurchase if they stay at the $34.99 price. I love this style because it is long and full. If you don't like length and volume in your lashes, I would not recommend these. If you're looking for a super luxurious and glamorous lash that will open up your eyes and add lots of length and fullness, I would highly recommend these!

The Rundown:  

 Packaging: 5/5
Comes in its own convenient storage case.

Product: 4.5/5
I love these lashes! But the major downside is I wish they were smaller so I didn't have to trim them!

Price: 3/5
VERY expensive. While you are paying for quality and luxury of the product, I still think this is a bit over the top.

Overall:
    

[ click here to read about my Review & Rating System ]
 

Review: Cetaphil DermaControl Oil Control Foam Wash

Price: $9.87 from Walmart

What they say:
- Clinically proven to effectively remove excess oil, impurities and make-up that can clog pores and lead to breakouts
- Gentle enough for everyday use
- Formulated for acne-prone skin
- Calming formula won't over-dry skin

What to do: Massage foam onto damp skin. Rinse.

What's in it: Water, Zinc Coceth Sulfate, Glycerin, Peg-75, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Zinc Gluconate, Peg-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palate, Peg-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Sodium Benzoate, Masking Fragrance, Disodium Edta.

The good stuff:

• Pump dispenser
• Gentle foam
• Leaves skin feeling clean and refreshed
• Does not dry out my skin
• Definitely helped control my oily skin
• Helps cut back on shine
  

The low-down:

• None!
  

My take: I bought this because (as I've mentioned previously) I'm battling with terribly oily skin and breakouts since being off BCP for the past several months. In an attempt to get my skin back under control, I've been actively seeking out oil/shine-controlling products and I came across this at my local Walmart!

I cannot stress enough that I am SO glad I came across this product. It has worked WONDERS for me. Before, not even a 2 hours after applying makeup, my entire face would be a shiny mess. After using this foam wash for a few days, there was an IMMEDIATE difference in my skin. The oilyness was dramatically cut back and I was no longer shiny after only a few hours. As long as I set my face with powder, I have little-to-no shine all day. I have been using this for the past month or so and it has really helped my skin!

I use about 1 1/2 pumps of this face wash. It's nice and foamy and lathers well. After using it, my skin feels clean and refreshed. It also leaves my skin feeling a bit "tightened," but not stripped and dry. Even after continued use, this does not dry out my skin or have any other adverse effects. One thing to note though is that although it says it is formulated for acne-prone skin, I cannot say it helped decrease my breakouts though. But I think that is just another thing I'm going to have to deal with until my hormones stop fluctuating :x

Would I repurchase/recommend?

I would without a doubt repurchase this face wash! I absolutely love it and it has made such a difference in my skin. I would highly recommend this cleanser to people with oily skin and who want to control shine.

The Rundown:

Packaging: 5/5
Easy pump dispenser bottle.

Product: 5/5
Worked excellent for me! Definitely helped control my oil and made a difference with the condition of my skin!

Price: 5/5
Affordable.

Overall:

[ click here to read about my Review & Rating System ]

Review: Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes

I've been using these makeup removing wipes for awhile now, ever since I stopped using my usual Epielle Face wipes. I used to LOVE those for the variety they had, the price, and how well they worked. But after awhile I felt like they just weren't doing the job like they used to :( So on a whim I decided to try out the Simple skin care brand since I'd seen a few commercials and ads and I was attracted to the all-natural and essentials-only philosophy.

Price: $4.97 from Walmart

What they say:

Our Cleansing Facial Wipes refresh and nourish your skin plus remove waterproof mascara. Our wipes contain a perfect blend of our purest possible skin loving ingredients with an added vitamin.

SIMPLE GOODNESS

• 1 ADDED VITAMIN: PRO-VITAMIN B5 known to help restore, soften and smooth
• NO ALCOHOL, NO OIL
• NON DRYING and NO GREASY residue
• NO DYES
• NO ARTIFICIAL PERFUMES
• NO HARSH IRRITANTS to upset skin
• Dermatologist tested
• Ophthalmologist tested
• Safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers
• Hypoallergenic
• Noncomedogenic
• 25 wipes

What's in it: Water (Aqua, Eau), Cetearyl Isononanoate, Panthenol, Glycerin, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth-20, Ceteareth-12, Sodium Citrate, 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol, Disodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben

The good stuff:

• Inexpensive
• Removes all traces of makeup
• Gentle on skin
• Does not irritate my eyes at all, even with contacts
• Leaves skin feeling refreshed and clean
  

The low-down:

• Nothing I can think of!
  

My take: I completely ADORE these cleansing facial wipes. The sheets are much larger than the Epielle wipes I used to use, so one sheet is more than sufficient to remove all my makeup. It even removes waterproof makeup and lash glue without having to harshly scrub it off. I also feel like these wipes leave me skin feeling really refreshed and clean, without leaving behind any kind of film or stickiness. In addition to it's superb makeup-removing properties, it also DOES NOT irritate my eyes and make them itchy, burn, or water like some other makeup removers have done for me. Even when I have contacts in, these wipes do not bother my eyes at all and are totally gentle on skin!

Would I repurchase/recommend?: YES! I have been repurchasing these wipes for the past few months now and I still LOVE them! I would recommend these to anyone looking for a makeup removing wipe that completely removes all traces of makeup while being gentle and refreshing on skin!

The Rundown:

Packaging: 5/5
Resealable packaging keeps wipes moist without making the ones on the bottom over-saturated with makeup remover.

Product: 5/5
Excellent! Removes all traces of my makeup and feels extra gentle on skin. Does not irritate my eyes at all and feels refreshing.

Price: 5/5
Wallet-friendly!

Overall:

[ click here to read about my Review & Rating System ]

Review: Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream To Go

I brought this product on a whim from Sephora while I was on Oahu 3 days ago, and it has quickly become a life saver for me!

I'd been suffering from a dry skin patch at the corner of my left eye for about the past 3 weeks, until roughly 4 days ago, it became a full-blown "I really can't keep ignoring this" kind of issue :S After removing my eye makeup one night, both of my eyes started burning and watering, and by the next morning, both eyelids and the area surrounding my eyes was red, SUPER swollen, painful, and itchy. I still don't know if it was makeup, allergies, or something else that caused it... Needless to say, I was mortified :[ The swelling went down the next day, but then my eyelids and area surrounding my left eye was still red and painful, and then it dried out and started flaking like crazy!

This picture below is from google (because I didn't think to take before/after pictures of my own eye), but this is basically what my eyes looked like, except MORE flaky and dry:

Enter Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream To Go!

Price: $16 for 1.25 oz from Sephora

What they say: Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream Tube To Go soothes and moisturizes dry skin. This glycerin-based cream is enriched with vitamin E, vitamin B2, and camphor. It has an uniquely high glycerin content and absorbability achieved through a special manufacturing process which makes Yu-Be so effective. Use it to smooth rough, dry patches on hands, elbows, knees, and feet. It softens and reduces tough calluses, including hard, cracked heels, and helps heal and prevent split cuticles. It replenishes lost moisture from water damage or frequent hand washing, helps heal and minimize scarring from burns, and protects and moisturizes skin exposed to cold, wind, and water.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:

- Sulfates

- Synthetic Fragrances

- Synthetic Dyes

- Petro-Chemicals

- Phthalates



Invented in 1957 by a Japanese pharmacist, Yu-Be is the #1 selling medicated, vitamin-enriched skincare cream in Japan today. Yu-Be is safe and effective for the whole family. The non-greasy formula absorbs quickly and stays locked in for hours.

What's in it:

Glycerin, Water, Isopropyl Myristate, Stearic Acid, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Triethanolamine, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Camphor, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2), Hydrogenated coco-glycerides, Stearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 80, EDTA, Methylparaben.

• Glycerin: This natural humectant attracts and retains moisture in the skin, making it softer.
• Camphor: Soothes irritation and stimulates blood circulation improving the overall health of skin. The mild scent disappears in minutes.
• Vitamin E: A natural antioxidant and skin protector.
• Vitamin B2: Helps to smooth rough or damaged skin and also gives Yu-Be its natural yellow color.
  

The good stuff:

• Convenient size
• Non sticky/greasy
• Smooths on and absorbs well
• GREAT for dry skin
• Healing and moisturizing
• Leaves skin soft and smooth
• Safe for pretty much all-over use
  

The low-down:

• Pricey
• Camphor scent

My take: Overall, I am SUPER glad I bought this cream. I originally just grabbed it since it was near the checkout and I wanted to try it on the boif since he has dry skin (it worked for him too!). But after I decided to try it around my eyes, I was hooked! After 3 days of use, it DRAMATICALLY reduced the flakiness, puffiness, redness, and made the area around my eyes soft and smooth. Almost back to normal!

Just a little bit of flakiness remains:

I was a bit wary to try it around my eyes because I had been using a little bit of emu oil but it had the tendency to actually go into my eyes and although it didn't irritate my eyes, it made my vision blurry :/ (sidenote -- I absolutely ADORE emu oil for piercing aftercare and lubricant for stretched lobes. It is pricey but VERY worth it!!!). Anywho, the Yu-Be cream smoothed onto my skin and although I wouldn't say it dries down, it does absorb into my skin and doesn't migrate into my eyes at all. The cream itself is yellow but when you rub it on, it's kinda white. So I just gently smoothed it on until the white color disappeared. From my experience, this cream definitely performed as it claimed, and I'm VERY happy with the results!

For those who don't like scented products though, this might not be for you. It has a somewhat herbal/medicinal scent because of the camphor, but like they said, it does disappear quickly. But if you don't like that kind of scent, it might bother you.

Would I repurchase/recommend?: I would definitely repurchase this product, and I actually want to try some of the other products from the Yu-Be line as well! I would recommend this to anyone who wants a natural product that helps deeply moisturize dry skin!

The Rundown:

Packaging: 5/5
A cute tube. Nice and simple.

Product: 5/5
Does exactly what it claims! Perfect for dry, flaky skin.

Price: 4.5/5
It's actually pretty up-there at $16 for such a small tube, but it DOES work, so it's such a small price to pay for quality.

Overall:

[ click here to read about my Review & Rating System ]

ELF High Definition Powder review

Price: $6

What they say: The high definition loose powder creates a "soft focus" effect to the skin. Masks fine lines and imperfections for a radiant complexion. The incredibly soft and invisible powder is great for on-screen and everyday wear.

What to do: The microfine particles are designed to be used with high-definition camera technology or for everyday wear. Apply powder all over the face for a professional and youthful look of perfection.

What's in it: Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Silica.

The good stuff:

• Inexpensive
• A LOT of product
• Silky smooth texture
• Easy to apply and blend in
• Controls shine ALL DAY
• No scent

The low-down:

• Maybe a BIT messy?
• Does not prevent oil
• Can leave a whitish cast

My take: I know a couple people were curious about this product as I was myself, and I have to say, I LOVE IT! Some of the reviews mentioned how since it is so big, it gets really messy if you peel all the tape off the sifter. Some people suggested taping over half so not as much product comes out. I, however, have not had any problems with too much product coming out. I just hold the puff over it and shake it a bit, and the right amount comes out on the puff. Some people also reccommended using a brush to apply, but I am fine using their applicator because it's super soft and easy to buff the powder with.

I would have to say that this is one of those very few ELF products that pretty much does what it claims. After I apply it, my skin looks soft and glowy. I wouldn't really be able to speak for the hiding of fine lines and imperfections though, as the fine lines I have are under my eyes and I use concealer there, and I don't have any huge blemishes. I also would not say that it makes my skin look extraordinary on camera. I mentioned before, but I have the same on-camera results with this powder, Smashbox HD foundation, and my EDM pressed powder. Yes, it makes my skin look nice but I am skeptical on the "designed to be used with high-definition camera technology" part. My skin looks pretty much the same on-camera when I used any of those foundations.

And now, the best part about this product is that it controls shine ALL DAY. This has been my biggest problem lately and it is such a struggle to have to deal with shine and oil. Luckily, this product holds down shine extremely well. It does not prevent oil though; when I touch my face it is still oily even if there is no shine. It is super easy to apply and the silky smooth texture (thanks to dimethicone -- found in primers) is easy to buff in. The powder is WHITE though so you need to continue buffing it in until it blends well; as it can leave a whitish cast if you don't.

Would I repurchase: Yes. Shine control is phenomenal.

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