Korres Lip Butter Plum

Price: $10 for .21oz

What they say:
"Ultimate lip treatment with intensely hydrating formulas, packed with a juicy pop of color
• Shea Butter’s anti-inflammatory and potent moisturising benefits cushion the skin and help to restructure it
• Rice Wax helps to seal in hydration, leaving the lips smooth all day "

What I say:
This is nice, but I think the best part about it is the smell (yum!).  It smells like plums, but a little more fake than that.  Maybe more like plum candy.  I like the smell, but I can see how others might think it is a little strong.  Anyway...

Let's start with the packaging.  This comes in a tub, as you can see in the picture, and I happen to fall in the "prefer tube" category.  This isn't a deal breaker for me, but I don't like sticking un-clean fingers into my makeup, so this product becomes an "only if my hands are clean" item.  I don't like those for travel, since I can't guarantee when I will be able to reapply.  That said, the tub is well made, lightweight, and doesn't open accidentally.  There is a plastic cover over the product, like what comes with many face products in tubs, which I think is a nice touch, since it makes it harder for the product to dry out.

The texture is lightweight, and feels moisturizing.  This butter is not moisturizing like a lip treatment, but it is moisturizing enough to keep your lips comfortable during the day.  I would have liked it being more moisturizing, but it wasn't drying, so that's good.  It feels kinda soft when you put your fingers into it, like a facial mask, or maybe more like room temperature butter, or body butter.  When placed on my lips, it is more creamy, and spreads easily.  It layers without problems, and doesn't settle into fine lines, or creep out onto the outside and corners of my mouth.

A little goes a long way with this particular color.  It is sheer when a thin layer is applied, but it can look a bit much if I apply a lot of it, since I am more pale, and this contrasts with that.  Still, the color is nice, and I would say it might lean more towards the cool side than warm, but not too much that anyone can't pull this color off.

According to Korres, lip butters can also double as cheek colors, making this a multi-use product like Stila's Convertibles.  Personally, I think the texture of this, while great for spreading and blending, is a little too greasy for my combination skin.  I haven't noticed breakouts, but without a powder, it looks a little... fake?  I guess that's the right word.  On more dry skin, this might sink in more, looking a little less dewy.

Overall, this is a good product, especially considering the price.  For $10 you get a respectable amount of balm (compare to MAC tendertones, that were $14.50 for .2oz back in 2008).  Korres also has sets, where you can get 3 of their lip butters for $19.50 (or $6.50 each).  Like I said before, I would like to see these in a tube instead of a tub, and would like to have them be more moisturizing, but these are little things, overall, for a product that does deliver.

4/5

Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Daily Sunblock, SPF 70

image from drugstore.com

Price: $13 for 1.4 fl oz.

What they say:

"New Neutrogena Ultra Sheer® Liquid Sunblock delivers powerful protection in a breakthrough lightweight liquid for daily protection from the sun. This water-light texture spreads easily over skin, absorbing instantly for an invisible, weightless feel. It also provides an even, non-shiny finish that works beautifully alone or under makeup and moisturizers.

This product features Helioplex®, a breadth of stabilized sunscreen technologies that delivers superior protection from the sun.

    * Helioplex®
    * Waterproof, sweatproof
    * Non-comedogenic (won't clog pores)
    * Oil-free, PABA free
    * 1.4 fl. oz. bottle"

What I say:

I really like this, and am so glad that I purchased it.  If you recall in my April Lemming's post, I mentioned that other countries have a more runny sunscreen than we do, and it was nice to see a company bring a liquid/lotion sunscreen to this country that was easy to obtain, and didn't cost an arm and a leg.

This sunscreen lives up to my expectations, which I am very happy about.  It is indeed a liquid/lotion, not that thick cream sunscreen that many companies try to pass off as being easy to spread, and fast absorbing.  The tip of the bottle looks a lot like an eyedropper, which allows the sunscreen to come out at just the right rate.  Believe me, you don't want a large opening on a liquid like this.  I actually like to take the bottle and run it across the area that I want to add sunscreen to, leaving a trail behind that I then rub into my skin.

This stuff spreads really easily, and doesn't leave behind a film once rubbed in.  I have to say, that besides BullFrog, this is the fastest absorbing sunscreen that I have ever seen.  Once you rub it in, it is gone, and you can barely feel it on your skin.  I can't say you can't feel it at all, but to me it feels about the same as a layer of lotion, so it is easy to ignore.  Honestly, after a few minutes, I don't even notice it at all.

The best part of a lotion type sunscreen like this is truly its ability to be layered on top of makeup, in my opinion.  Since the liquid is easy to spread, and has extremely fast absorption, you can spread a little on your hands, and then pat it onto skin.  Depending on your makeup and application, it may or may not disturb your makeup, but to even have the option is better than the majority of brands out there.  I have heard some people say that oilier skin can get away with this instead of moisturizer and sunscreen.  While I cannot say if I personally could, since I have oily dehydrated, I didn't notice any drying of my skin, so it might be possible.

I have noticed no slipping or greasiness because of this sunscreen, even when I exercised with this under makeup (for science!).  There is also no whitish cast to my face and body (I like to use the same sunscreen for both, since I travel a lot), but I do have fair skin.  I would guess that this sunscreen would leave no cast on other skintones, mainly because it disappears into skin so quickly and readily.  It claims to be waterproof and sweatproof.  From what I saw when exercising with this product on, it seems to be true.  I haven't swam with it on, since it's too cold here right now, but I would guess that it would hold up.  Just remember that all waterproof sunscreens still need to be touched up.

If there is anything I would say I didn't like about this product it would be the price per unit.  While still cheaper than most sunscreens on the market in the USA with this consistancy, it is still far more expensive than other drugstore sunscreens that are a different formula.  While this doesn't put me off too much, since I am willing to pay more for a superior product, and it often goes on sale, it would be nice if they lowered the price from, say, $13 not on sale to $10.  Maybe, depending on the market, they might, like Revlon did with PhotoReady.

Overall, I highly recommend this product.  It absorbs like a dream, layers well, spreads easily, is small enough for travel, doesn't cause breakouts, and can be used on both face and body.  Really, what more can one ask for from a product, let alone one that you can get at a drugstore?

5/5, highly recommended, possible HG.

The Body Shop Tea Tree Gel

Price: $9.00 for .08 fl oz

What they say:
"How it works:
    * Lemon tea tree and Community Trade tea tree oil from Kenya contain properties that help fight blemishes and prevent new ones from forming.
    * Tamanu oil from Madagascar has a soothing effect and helps to calm irritation and redness.
    * Community Trade organic honey to soothe the skin."


What I say:
This is a good blemish fighter, but it isn't the strongest.

I got this because of a sale that The Body Shop was having, and since I needed a new blemish stick, I thought I would give this one a try.  The ingredients, while not being the most natural, are more natural than most, so that was a bonus.

Tea tree oil, an antiseptic, antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral ingredient, is the star of this particular gel.  Because it kills bacteria, which is often the cause of acne, it makes sense that this ingredient would be used for as long as it has.

The gel is completely clear, and is similar in consistency to a really light lipgloss, but without any stickiness.  It dries quickly, and I have not had any problems putting makeup on top of it.  Since this blemish gel is mild, you can use it multiple times a day, but it's not going to just get rid of the blemish overnight.  It does help with reducing the redness and inflamation, but, again, it is not a miracle worker.

The tube, as you can see, has a doe foot applicator at the end.  While normally I would say that this is not the most hygenic, since the key ingredients would kill anything that you put in there, and you are normally using this right after washing your face, it doesn't actually seem that bad.  Also, since you are not touching the product with your hands, it might actually be a little cleaner than normal.  The applicator itself does a good job of placing the gel where you want, and it doesn't get too much on the end of it, so you don't need to worry about waste.

The gel does not have a really strong tea tree oil scent, which is good for those of you who are sensitive to that smell.  Personally, it makes me think that it has very little of the key ingredient, but they might have just figured out a way to diminish the smell.

Overall, I think this is a nice product.  I wish it was a little stronger, but given what it is, and the fact that it is using more natural ingredients to do it, it works well.

3.5/5 (seems a little low, but 4/5 seemed too high)

Aspirin Mask

Ahhh, good old fashioned, cheap, awesome mask.  Chemical plus physical exfoliation meets ease of use, easy removal, and the cheapest per unit price you can ever find.

Now, many of you have heard of this mask, and this is nothing new to you, but for those of you that do not, this is a simple, easy mask, that does not take a huge chunk of money out of your wallet to have.  Warnings, though: If you are sensitive or allergic to aspirin DO NOT USE!  I cannot stress that enough.  Enough of the aspirin can get into your system, and your health is not worth the risk.

To do: Take 4-5 aspirin uncoated aspirin tablets, since these dissolve easily.  Take a little water (we're talking drops here), and place on the tablets.  Let sit for about 15 seconds, then help them along by turning and crushing them with your fingers until you get a nice powder.

Here's the fun part.  Mix the powder with whatever you want.  If you need a moisturizing anti-acne mask, mix with yogurt or honey (my personal favorite).  If you're lazy, like I am, just use more water, so that you get a paste.  Seriously, as long as it can go on your face, it can probably be mixed in with the aspirin powder.

Let sit until dry, or for as long as you can handle/need it.  I usually do 10-15 minutes, with the thicker parts of the mask on places like acne and my nose.

Wash off with warm water, using a little at a time, and messaging the leftover mask into your skin, which acts like a mild exfoliator.  This mask is also a chemical exfoliator, so don't over do it!  Use a cleanser afterwards if you need it (like after the honey mask), moisturize, and you're done!  Use at most once a week, since this is a strong treatment.

How this works:
Aspirin is made of acetylsalicylic acid, a salicylate drug (salicylic acid is the most commonly known), which is a beta hydroxy acid.  Beta hydroxy acids are often used for anti-acne and anti-aging cosmetics and skin care, like concealers and facial washes.  By taking the drug and mixing it into a mask to apply topically, you are placing a beta hydroxy acid that is a high concentration on a targeted spot on your face, which helps exfoliate, and helps clean pores.

While this isn't the most luxurious mask on the planet, it is a great mask for people who have acne, and also for people who travel; a bottle of aspirin in your bag becomes a pain killer, an exfoliator, and a mask, all without the liquid requirements that airlines enforce, and very little bag space.

I highly recommend giving this one a try (as long as you aren't allergic).  The worst that happens is you spend $1-$1.50, and get a bottle of pain medicine for your cabinet.

Korres Sunscreen Stick Face Watermelon

image from sephora.com

Price: $24.50 for 20ml (.68 fl oz)

What they say:
"What it is:
An innovative sun protection solution that doubles as a highlighter.

What it is formulated to do:
Korres Watermelon Sunscreen Stick SPF 30 shields sensitive areas of the face like the lips, cheeks, and nose. Designed for easy application, this double-duty essential adds a natural, iridescent touch to accentuate features and smoothes to silky perfection.

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Dyes
- Petro-Chemicals
- Phthalates
- GMOs
- Triclosan

What else you need to know:
This nutrient-infused formula bolsters the skin's immune system and prevents photoaging. It is dermatologically and opthamologically tested, noncomedogenic, a full spectrum UV protectant, and water and sweat resistant. It is free of PPGs, MEA, DEA, TEAs, and formaldehyde donors. "

What I say:
First off, I think this product is being discontinued, since the Korres website doesn't list it anymore.  Still, I thought it would be worth reviewing for those people who can still find it online or in person.

This is an interesting product.  The smell is like watermelon candy, which I love, but many people might not like.  The smell does go away pretty quickly, but it is pretty strong in the tube.  The stick itself has a kinda whitish-pink color to it, which is what gives the slight highlighting effect when it is used on your skin.

The highlighting effect is there, but it isn't very noticeable, especially when the product finally dries.  Speaking of drying, though, this product takes forever to dry down.  When I first put it on, I looked a little greasy, which did not make me happy.  It does go away in about 20-30 minutes, and since 30 minutes is how long they say to wait before going out into the sun, at least you don't look shiny in direct sunlight.

Texture-wise, this product feel like a chapstick, but a little thicker, maybe a little creamier.  I would want to say how butter feels when it's cold, without the melting into liquid part.  You can definitely feel this on your skin, which I don't like at all.  I did one swipe on part of my face, like my nose, and then used my fingers to spread it out more, since I felt I was layering too much on when I just put it straight on my face.  Even when spread out like this, I felt like I had a mask on, and when I touched my face I could feel it on my skin, like a thin greasy layer.  The feeling goes down when it is dried, but it's still there.

This product does have some good points, though.  Portability is really high, which is good for people who travel a lot.  Since it's not a liquid, you can take this on airplanes with no problem, or at least in my area.  It has SPF 30 (it claims it is UVA and B), which isn't the highest, but it is much higher than a lot of products on the market.  The smell doesn't smell chemically to me, which is a plus, since I often dislike the smell of sunscreen.

Overall, I think this product is kinda bad for everyday usage, but would work well for certain people,in certain conditions, including:
Children - easy to use, easy to carry around, and they don't care about being greasy for a little bit while it dries.
Hiker - safe for body, face, eye area, and lips, it is an all in one product to carry, and it's lightweight
Travelers - I don't know about you, but I can care less what I look like when traveling, as long as I'm comfortable.  Being able to carry this onto an airplane with no problem is a plus.

A side note, I actually returned this product after a few uses (and lost the pictures I took, of course... bah).  I just can't get past the feeling of this, and for the price, it just isn't worth it for me.

2/5 - it has its uses, but it really could be a much better product.

End of the Month Lemmings, April

1) Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Liquid Daily Sunblock, SPF 70

image from drugstore.com

Many other countries have had the joy of a runny, more liquid SPF that is not horribly expensive for a while, and it looks like Neutrogena is bringing one to these shores (I don't count BullFrog, since that's more of a gel).  This price is kinda high for about 1 fl oz (I think it was $13 when I saw it online), so I'm waiting for a BOGO before I get this.  Hopefully this will be good, because a liquid sunscreen is a lot easier to reapply over makeup than a gel.

2) A new sundress.  Well, any sundress.  I think the only two that I have are both black, with one that has blue flowers on it.  Don't know how that one happened.  If the weather ever decides to get warmer here, it would be a really good thing to have a sundress to wear during the summer.  Problem is, with sundresses, they just don't fit in the bust.  If they do, they are too big everywhere else.  *Sigh*

3) Convertible pants for hiking and traveling.  When you have evil siblings, every little advantage helps.

4) Anastasia Mini Duo Angled/Spooley 7

image from sephora.com

I have been trying to get this for a while, and every time I'm in the stores, it's sold out.  I have only one travel sized angled liner brush, which I have been using for my brows, and really want a new angled brush, so I can use the original for liner instead.  I have a travel sized flat top liner brush... I hate those things so much.  They are just horrible for me.  Definitely replacing that thing with the angled brush I have...

Any case, a spooley on one end to tame your brows, and an angled brush for your brow powder, all in a convenient travel size.  Brilliant!

5) Dior 5-Colour Iridescent Eyeshadow - Ready-to-Glow 

image from sephora.com

Originally, I didn't care about this palette much.  It looks nice, but it didn't look Dior prices nice, you know?

Then I saw Fuzz's swatch, and man, that peach with that taupe... It's just stunning.  I have a couple pinks, I have browns, I have taupes (aplenty), but I have no peaches, and that taupe is unique...

This is going on my "please don't let it be sold out before I save enough, or someone gets it for me for a present" list.  Knowing my luck, it will be sold out, hehe.  Oh well, makeup is not life or death.  There's always another peach.

Korres Ginger and Vitamins Foundation

Price: $28 for 1.35 fl oz

What they say:
"Lightweight, water-based tinted moisturizer leaves skin perfectly hydrated while minimizing imperfections, boosting antioxidant protection and leaving skin with a healthy glow.
• Formulated for all skin types, Ginger and vitamins formula gives sheer to medium build-able coverage with a creamy finish and built-in sun protection
• Ginger extract improves skin tone and clarity while calming and soothing redness and irritation
• Vitamin C significantly diminishes fine lines, hyperpigmentation and resurfaces skin, revealing a soft and radiant complexion • Vitamin E, a potent anti-oxidant, defends skin against free radical damaging while also providing moisture "

What I say:
I really like this stuff!  I had been interested in buying this product for a while, but could not justify the price of $28 for only 1.35 fl oz.  While 1.35 fl oz is more than MUFE HD foundation, for instance, and the price is also less, at least MUFE I can test out in person, while I was flying solo with this foundation.  After reading many reviews online, and finding a nice coupon for a percentage off retail, I decided to bite the bullet and purchase this in color LF1, which sounded the closest to my skin tone (MUFE 115, MAC NW20).

First off, this foundation is more like a tinted moisturizer than a foundation, which is hilarious, because their Watermelon Tinted Moisturizer (which I also purchased, but am waiting for summer to use) is more like a foundation than a tinted moisturizer.  Basically, if you want something light, go with the foundation, if you want something more medium, go with the tinted moisturizer.

The color selection could be worse for this product, but I goes look like it runs more on the light side, and more neutral to yellow than a lot of brands.  This does make sense, though, if you look at the history of the company, and the fact that it runs more Mediterranean in its colors than other brands.  The foundation is so blendable, though, that a little color mistake should not be that much of a problem.

Ginger and Vitamin's texture is kinda runny, wet, blend-able, and smooth.  Applying this with your fingers is incredibly easy, and unlike Revlon's PhotoReady foundation, this did not accentuate my dry spots like a neon sign.  It does cover redness decently well, but areas that have a lot of red, like around the nose, and acne scars, will need a concealer to cover.  This takes a moment to sink in, but when it does, it stays put, and is hard to notice.


The finish is like skin, and I did not notice needing a powder to prevent fading, though it has been rather cold here, so I haven't been sweating.  This foundation stayed on all day with no problem, and also removed very easily.  The smell is not that pleasant, but it isn't horrible, and fades away really quickly.

The container for this is wonderful.  It doesn't look like you get that much, but remember, unlike many foundations, this doesn't have a large lid, pump, or a thick outer container.  This is a wonderful container for travel, since it takes so little room, so you can easily bring it with you for touch-ups.


I think the best thing about this foundation is how nice my skin felt after I took it off.  My skin was soft, the redness I have on my cheeks actually looked diminished, and my skin felt more... nourished?  Hard to describe.  I had heard other people say something along these lines, but I had not believed them.  I really should have, because I would have bought this a long time ago.  The fact that this also has SPF in it, though not a lot, is a nice touch.  I already use SPF in my moisturizer, so this is not a replacement, but every little bit helps.

Overall, I really like this, and wish I had listened to others and bought it before now.  The price is kinda high, but compared to other brands, I guess it's a mid-high end, and on par.  The container is nice, the foundation is great, but the color selection could have more pink and dark selections.  Still, with how sheer this is, the color selection could be worse.  I highly suggest getting a sample if you can.

4/5