Revlon Crazy Shine Nail Buffer

My natural nails, sans polish, are so dull that I'm kind of embarassed to go without polish. So when I saw Revlon's new Crazy Shine Nail Buffer at my local CVS, I snatched it up. And, let me tell you...the name is accurate. Crazy accurate, in fact. My iPhone photo above doesn't do the shine justice.

The double sided buffer smoothes and evens out the nail surface - creating an outrageous, mirror-like finish. The tool promises to create 400% more shine than bare nails. To be honest, I couldn't tell you the difference between a 100% and 400% increase in shine, but I will say that it looks like I'm wearing a clear topcoat on my nails. And this was achieved in about three minutes (all 10 nails) - no drying time necessary. What I also love is that you can use the white side on polished nails - to restore shine when your mani is looking a lil murky.

Revlon Crazy Shine Nail Buffer retails for $3.99 - but right now it's on sale at CVS for $2.99.

This Week's Deals at CVS

Sorry for the late notice, but I thought you should know about some of the great deals that CVS.com is offering this week. CVS is my favorite drugstore for beauty shopping and these deals offer the perfect opportunity to stock up on beauty products!

1. Beginning of Summer Spectacular Beauty Sale! Now through Sunday 6/19, pamper yourself with buy one Essence of Beauty product, get a second item for FREE on CVS.com! Pick up make-up brushes plus lotions, creams and soaps in fun summer scents that will keep you looking and feeling great all season!

2. Don’t let the heat damage your hair this summer! Now through Sunday 6/19, all John Frieda hair products are a huge 25% off on CVS.com, including the Full Repair hair restoring product line!

3. Stock up on beauty essentials! Now through Sunday 6/19 stock up on your summer beauty essentials including cotton swabs and make-up remover with CVS.com 20% off sitewide! Enter coupon code: GET20SITEWIDE to begin saving.

Shoppers can follow CVS/pharmacy on Twitter @CVS_Extra and Facebook to learn about upcoming promotions.

Whatever Happened To Ultima II?

I might be showing my age with this question...but can I ask, whatever happened to Ultima II? Back in the day, that shiz was my jam. Ultima II was one of my first forays into prestige makeup and I was obsessed. I had this one brown matte lipstick (hey, it was the mid-nineties) that I wore down to a nub. And don't get me started on their Glowtion Skin Brightening Moisturizer.

And when the line popped up at my local CVS, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. Then it died.

A recent Google search turned up a ton of online retailers still hocking Ultima II cosmetics...which leaves me wondering if Revlon is still secretly producing these products, or if the online stores are selling old stock.

Ah, Ultima II...thanks for the memories.

Be The First To Try Maybelline's New Pulse Perfection Vibrating Mascara

Maybelline's Pulse Perfection Mascara is the first mass market vibrating mascara. At $14.95, it costs roughly half the price of prestige vibrating mascaras. Pulse Perfection won't be on shelves until mid-June, but you can get its pulsating applicator all up in your lashes as early as this Monday.

For one day only (May 18th), visit Maybelline.com/Pulse to snag a tube a month early. The link will take you to one of four online retailers (CVS, Target, Walgreens or Walmart) to purchase the mascara.

Covergirl Outlast Lipstains - Now at CVS

Yes, child...I was at CVS yesterday buying up a bunch of nonsense* so that I could use my "Get $5 off a purchase of $25" ExtraCare Card coupon - and I spied CoverGirl Outlast Lipstains!!!

*To be honest, it wasn't really nonsense. I picked up L’Oreal Skin Genesis Daily Moisturizer Oil Free Lotion (I recently ran out and almost had a conniption), travel sized tube of Crest with Scope (for a Christmas trip to Spokane, WA to see my in-laws) and Selsun Blue Moisturizing Formula (never wear black without the blue, baby).

Big Props To Rimmel London

Big props to Rimmel London for creating two ab fab mascaras for under $8, and to my BFF Kristen for bringing this brand into my lifestyle.

A few weeks ago, Kristen called me to wax poetic about the fluttertastic virtues of Glam'Eyes Mascara. Like she promised, it delivered high octane lashes like you wouldn't believe. This mascara ain't for the faint of heart, and you wallflowers best save this tube for a night out. It gives the eye a sexy, dramatic look that is sure to set tongues wagging.

But I was most impressed by my impulse buy. CVS was offering a buy one, get one half off promotion...so I also tossed Lash Maxxx Mascara into my basket. This mascara magically multiplies my sparse lashes and gives them a glossy black coat, with zero clumps. The wand takes a little getting used to, as it applies the product with a comb comprised of ultra-fine bristles. But once you get the hang of it, you'll marvel at how believably lush your lashes look. The fringe is so natural, you'll forget that you aren't genetically blessed.

Run your ass out and buy both of these mascaras - for the price of one department store tube!

Don't Risk Leaving Your Toothbrush Unattended...Try DentaBurst

A few weeks ago during a restroom break at work, I noticed a cup on the counter by the sink. And in said cup was a toothbrush. What the bleep?!?! Grossness.

I used to have aspirations to become a pediatric dentist/orthodontist (long story), so I can appreciate a passion for dental care. But treating a public lavatory like your personal bathroom is taking it to the extreme. Plus, in my opinion, leaving your toothbrush unattended in a public place is incredibly naïve…I mean, haven’t they heard about the Big Brother episode where the vindictive girl cleans the toilet with her rival’s toothbrush? I’ve never even seen that show, but I’ve heard about that eppy a million times.

For those of you who are looking for minty freshness on the go, I’ve found the perfect product for you. DentaBurst teeth cleaners are better than gum because they remove plaque whilst freshening breath. Just place Dentaburst on your index finger, rub it on your teeth, and enjoy the feeling of a clean mouth. The mint flavor tastes great, and it’s also available in cinnamon.They’re individually wrapped, in packs of twelve – so toss a few in your purse, store some in you car, or stash a couple in your desk drawer at work. I think I might leave some on the bathroom counter of my office restroom, and hope that my dental hygiene-happy colleague takes the hint.

DentaBurst is available in the dental aisle at CVS and Target.

Johnson's Baby Cologne

By the weekend, my rash had gotten so bad that I had to go back to the doc’s office. Afterwards, I took my new prescription to CVS - then browsed around the store, waiting for my Rx to be filled. While searching for the magazines, I took a wrong turn down the baby aisle…and guess what I saw? Johnson’s Baby Cologne. Yes, you heard me right. Baby cologne.

Here’s the 411 on this shameful new product:

Johnson’s Baby Cologne has a gentle, fresh fragrance with a pleasant combination of floral and citrus hints. It leaves your baby smelling clean and fresh. This clinically proven mild formula is alcohol free, making it just right for your baby's delicate skin.

What is this world coming to? What kind of parent is thinking, “Damn, my baby really reeks. Maybe Johnson’s is onto something with this baby cologne!”

I actually smelled this stuff, and it’s truly awful. Don’t get me wrong – I do not condone spritzing cologne on infants. But if your target consumer is still in diapers, wouldn’t powdery notes be more appropriate than floral and citrus scents?

I think that if any parent attempts to purchase Johnson’s Baby Cologne, they should be met at the register by Child Protective Services. Just a thought.

Click here for the horrendous commercial.

SPINLASH!!!

I’m addicted to magazines. No, really. I have a problem. Every month, I buy every fashion/beauty/celebrity gossip mag you can name and read them cover to cover. And I don’t subscribe because I can’t bear spying one of my faves on a magazine rack before it shows up in my mailbox. Yeah, it’s an expensive compulsion.

Anyway, my husband marvels how I can spend hours reading one of my mags. I dog-ear pages and take copious notes so that I can later share with all of you. For the past few months, I’ve been seeing these ads - towards the back of the magazine – for this new invention called SPINLASH. This mascara has a rotating brush that simultaneously separates, organizes, shapes, coats, lengthens and volumizes eyelashes. Allegedly. Sounds amazing, right? But how credible can this product be when it’s pictured right next to that weight-loss supplement ad (you know the one with the woman wearing the same neon bikini in her before and after pics)?

So I got my hands (and lashes) on SPINLASH to see if the product lives up to the hype. And to my surprise, it did! Here’s the dish…

SPINLASH uses a rotating rubber brush that simultaneously combs and coats lashes. The motion of the rotating brush is slow and steady, so there’s no need to fear putting this near your eyes. The brush rotates 360 degrees in both directions for upper and lower lashes, and to accommodate right and left-handed users. It comes with either black or brownish black mascara that is safe for contact lens wearers…but the best part about SPINLASH is that you can use it with your favorite mascara! Just use your mascara’s regular brush to apply to the SPINLASH brush…it’s really just that easy.

SPINLASH retails for $14.95 and is available at Target, CVS, Claire’s and other mass retailers nationwide - as well as at SPINLASH.com.

I’ve Been Holding Out On Y’all

I’ve been holding out on y’all. Not on purpose, though.

Just now, I was searching around the blog – taking inventory, if you will, of what products I’ve tested thus far. When I went looking for my glowing review of Atopalm’s MLE Cream, it was nowhere to be found.

I must have told so many people about this miraculous moisturizer that I tricked myself into thinking I had reviewed it on Spoiled Pretty. But, alas, I did not – so here’s the 411, without further ado.

There’s nothing special or sexy about the packaging, fragrance (it's unscented), or name of this cream. But what I absolutely adore about this moisturizer is that Atopalm obviously put all of its resources into making a stellar product, rather than clever marketing.

Do you have dry skin? Do you suffer from dry flakes, no matter how much you moisturize? Is your skin extremely sensitive? Is rosacea your skin’s arch nemesis? Got a nasty case of eczema? Then you need to get this wonder cream!

Atopalm MLE Cream has plant-derived ingredients to aid in the replenishment of natural skin lipids to form a protective barrier against the elements. It also helps prevent the over evaporation of the skin's own moisture. And it helps in restoring the skin barrier depleted by microdermabrasion, facial peels, and other harsh treatments. It can be used on both the face and the body, is suitable for adults and children, and is side-effect free!

MLE Cream is the only moisturizer that quenched my perpetually parched face this winter. It fully hydrated my skin without turning greasy, even hours later.

Atopalm products are available at Amazon.com, CVS.com, and SkinStore.com.

Seeing Double

Yesterday, as I was perusing the CVS website, a new skincare brand caught my eye.

What struck me the most about 24.7 Skincare is its similarity the Freeze 24-7 skin care brand. From the names to the packaging to the product descriptions, they’re nearly identical. Take a look…

24.7 Skincare Instant Plump Volumizing Lip Shine: Triple action lip treatment works with Retinol, Niacin and GABA to immediately plump, hydrate and nourish lips. ($19.99)

Freeze 24-7 PlumpLips Lip Plumper: Revolutionary lip plumper and gloss that delivers full, pouty, buttery lips in minutes. Hydrates, smoothes and soothes…It’s addicting! ($40)

24.7 Skincare Smooth & Go Immediate Skin Perfector: Instantly illuminates and smoothes, bringing a newfound soft, flawless look to your skin. Performs brilliantly under or over makeup and wouldn't think of smudging or smearing. Perfectly portable for whenever or whenever you need a quick skin-perfecting fix - an absolute must have, with mistake-proof application! Treat fine lines and wrinkles, imperfections, dark circles, lip lines, laugh lines, large pores. Perfect for: quick touch-ups: Smooth & Go, use under OR over makeup, absorbs excess oil, instant brightening, instant smoothing. ($29.99)

Freeze 24/7 Freeze & Go Instant Smoother & Brightener: Use under or over makeup to fix fine lines, absorb excess oil and brighten skin for a flawless finish. Perfectly portable, this sleek, metallic, pod-like package is designed for optimal convenience and totability, with a removable mirror and metered dosage to ensure a flawless finish on-the-go. ($65)

24.7 Skincare Targeted Wrinkle Treatment: Targets lines and wrinkles with a latest-tech formula including GABA, Lavendox and Hyaluronic Acid Spheres. The results are impressive: 100% of respondents saw a 50-90% reduction in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles within 10 minutes, making it an effective, non-surgical cosmetic alternative to Botox and other invasive procedures. ($39.99)

Freeze 24/7 Instant Targeted Wrinkle Treatment: This dream cream is for real and delivers a powerful punch against wrinkles. Watch them melt away within minutes. Respondents saw a 50-90% reduction in the visible appearance of fine lines and wrinkles within minutes of application. A safe alternative to Botox and other synthetic products which produces results - not side effects. ($65)

After noting the similarities, I instantly smelled a lawsuit. But it seems that the brands are in cahoots. 24.7 Skincare was created in partnership with an initial investor in Freeze 24-7. So maybe there won’t be blood. But there will be youthful skin and plump lips – whether you shop at the department store or the drugstore.

Freeze 24-7 is available at Nordstrom, Henri Bendel, Bloomingdale’s, Space NK, and Saks Fifth Avenue. 24.7 Skincare is sold exclusively at CVS.

This Peel Makes Its Mark By Fading Yours

Just now, my mom called asking me to recommend a facial peel for my sister, Lauren. There are many types of peels on the market, so I inquired about what kind of result Lauren was looking for. My mom explained that the Molton Brown Skinbalance Toning Lotion I had raved about was doing a great job of clearing up my sister’s blackheads – but the process was resulting in some hyper-pigmentation. It didn’t take me long to offer a suggestion...almost immediately, I remembered a product I purchased over a year ago – that yielded great results.

Used consistently (1-3 times per week), Neutrogena Advanced Solutions Acne Mark Fading Peel visibly reduces the appearance of post-acne marks. What I like most about the treatment is that it contains Salicylic Acid to prevent new breakouts from forming and discourage future marks. The product does a wonderful job of exfoliating skin…after using the peel, my skin had a healthy glow and was smooth as a toddler’s tuchis.

My only criticism is the smell – it isn’t pleasant, but it’s tolerable…and you get used to it after a while. In Spoiled Pretty’s opinion, it’s a small price to pay for smoother, clearer skin.

Available at Drugstore.com, Amazon.com, Walgreen’s, Eckerd, CVS, Rite Aid, Walmart and Kmart.

I Scream, You Scream

As a little girl, my favorite flavor and scent was vanilla. Not much has changed since then, as I still have a bit of a sweet tooth – and not just when it comes to food. That’s why I am so excited to try Organix Soft & Silky Vanilla Silk Blow Dry Cream.

It’s made with 100% Tahitian Vanilla Bean Oils and silk amino proteins to nourish and strengthen hair. Organix promises that the cream's "heat memory" lengthens the life of your style, while providing thermal protection from the heat of blow dryers, curling irons, and other hair styling tools. And Lucky Magazine says it smells like vanilla ice cream.

Why am I still writing about this and not out buying it?

Organix products are available at Target, Walmart, Walgreen’s, Amazon.com, and CVS.

Hell Has Officially Frozen Over

On Friday night, after returning home from a night out with friends, my husband took a long, hard look at me and asked, “Honey, when’s the last time you exfoliated?”

I was aghast at the question, considering this was a man who, just a few years earlier, had been cleansing his face with the same bar of Irish Spring he used to wash his body. He has since graduated to less archaic methods of skincare, but since when was he an expert in the art of exfoliation?

After taking a long, hard look at my dull complexion in the mirror, I reluctantly agreed that my husband might be on to something – so I asked what he recommended. He handed me his Energizing Face Scrub by Nivea For Men, and told me to give it a try.

As you all know, I’m not above using men’s products – so I applied some to my freshly-washed face and worked the product in in circles. The fine scrub particles are not for the faint of heart – so if your skin is on the sensitive side, you may find this to be a bit too abrasive. Otherwise, it’s great at unclogging pores and getting rid of excess impurity build up.

My husband’s Energizing Face Scrub did just what it promised – it smoothed my complexion by lifting off rough, dead skin. The “fine scrub particles” were a little more aggressive than I’m used to - so I think I’ll stick to my Fresh Sugar Face Polish and steal, I mean borrow, his Nivea Face Scrub once a week. And if he ever gets stingy and I have to go buy my own, it’s only $6.

Available at Drugstore.com, Amazon.com, CVS, Walgreen's, and Rite Aid.