Sunday, 31 July 2011 | Author: Catherine Horgan | 
Fun fun fun in the sun! July brought some fabulous products to review. A few new-to-market. Others, oldie-but-goodies. But always an adventure!
Donna Karan: Cashmere Mist Deodorant
Back in April, I came in contact with this deodorant for the first time. I thought what I was smelling was a light-scented perfume on my sister-in-law. I had no idea that the fragrance I had became so enamored with was a deodorant. I loved it so much, I kept joking with my sister-in-law that I was going to curl up under her armpit. It smells that good. I am not a fan of the actual perfume, so I'm surprised how much I like the deodorant ... it's light and yummy. I love the fact that you don't need perfume when wearing this. And when you start to heat up from exercising, you smell delicious!
Wrangler: Ticking Stripe Cropped Tie Front top
I buy from London quite a bit, just to spice things up in my wardrobe. Leave it to me to pick a top that was manufactured a little more than a hour down the road. Crazy. It's a great cropped top. I love the faded stripe. I also love the fact that I will be able to wear this into fall with a long tee underneath. Versatile.
Phyto: Phytolisse Smoothing Shampoo
Who knew that one step could lead to such smooth, silky hair? I am very impressed with this bottle of shampoo. I use any conditioner I have in my shower with this shampoo and get the same fabulous results every time. The first time I didn't put any hair product in my hair and still got an almost perfect blow out. It lasts for days, too ... even through hot yoga. Sometimes I will use a smoothing product before blow drying to provide even better results — smoother, shinier, softer hair. But the fact of the matter is, it all starts with this amazing shampoo!
Image Skincare: Daily Defense Matte Moisturizer Oil-Free SPF 30
I get so excited when I find a sunblock with a good amount of zinc oxide in it. This one has 18% - woohoo! It comes in five different formulas. I love the matte for summer. I apply this after my antioxidant. It smells good and leaves a satiny matte finish that is just gorgeous. In fact, I have skipped my tinted moisturizer all summer because I don't like to apply anything after I use this sunblock. The only issue I have had with it is at the pool. As an undercoat, it can make your face dry and flaky if you are in and out of the pool or ocean all day. Opt for a thicker, more hydrating sunblock in that case. For everyday use, this is my favorite sunblock to date! Seriously good stuff!
LUSH: Karma Komba Shampoo Bar
I have always been a fan of LUSH products. And their solid shampoos are just plain fun and easy to travel with! This one smells amazing (orange oil, patchouli and lavendin oil) and lathers so nicely. However, do not get it in your eyes (stings really bad). This shampoo feels like a clarifying shampoo, so I choose to use it 1-2x a week. And I always follow up with a hydrating conditioner.
Cover Girl: NatureLuxe Water Resistant Mousse Mascara in very black
Deep rich black color. Somewhat water-resistant. For the most part, I like this mascara. The problem with this formula (beeswax) is that is takes longer to dry. So after applying, if you blink, your mascara ends up all over your eye. Now, I'm not perfect so I am always prepared with a wet Q-tip after applying mascara. What's lacking is volume. It claims to provide volume, but the formula is too wet to accomplish it. I have layered it over my volumizing mascara and it adds fabulous color. But who wants to use two mascaras all the time? Bummer, because I think cover girl is onto something.
Senna: Light Tricks
The concept of this highlighter is great. One tip is an under brow highlighter, while the other is for the inner rim of your bottom lashes. The color is nice and sheer. Perfect for a natural everyday look. And it's smudgeproof and waterproof ... bonus!
Kerastase: Masque Nutri-Thermique
My hair always needs a little more TLC in the summer. I love everything about this conditioner. The scent. The hydration. The results (most importantly). It contains the optimum dosage of glucose, proteins and lipids for serious lock-in nutrition, protecting the hair from heat and general damage.
St. Tropez: Self Tan Bronzing Spray
St. Tropez makes stellar self tanning products, so I was excited to try this one. This is as close as you are going to get to a professional spray tan. The color is rich (and instant). It's fast — 360° spray technology. It doesn't stink while you are processing. And it's relatively easy to use. Infused with Aloe Vera, your skin will look tan and well moisturized. Because I am not perfect, I use rubber gloves when applying this. I like to rub in areas that may be prone to streaks, like my shins. The one mistake I made the first time, was going too heavy on my feet and lower legs (I was border line bronze/burnt sienna in color, depending on the lighting). I wish I could get more applications out of a can. However, that's the price you pay for spray. Overall, fabulous product for instant bronze goodness!
Donna Karan: Cashmere Mist DeodorantBack in April, I came in contact with this deodorant for the first time. I thought what I was smelling was a light-scented perfume on my sister-in-law. I had no idea that the fragrance I had became so enamored with was a deodorant. I loved it so much, I kept joking with my sister-in-law that I was going to curl up under her armpit. It smells that good. I am not a fan of the actual perfume, so I'm surprised how much I like the deodorant ... it's light and yummy. I love the fact that you don't need perfume when wearing this. And when you start to heat up from exercising, you smell delicious!
Wrangler: Ticking Stripe Cropped Tie Front topI buy from London quite a bit, just to spice things up in my wardrobe. Leave it to me to pick a top that was manufactured a little more than a hour down the road. Crazy. It's a great cropped top. I love the faded stripe. I also love the fact that I will be able to wear this into fall with a long tee underneath. Versatile.
Phyto: Phytolisse Smoothing ShampooWho knew that one step could lead to such smooth, silky hair? I am very impressed with this bottle of shampoo. I use any conditioner I have in my shower with this shampoo and get the same fabulous results every time. The first time I didn't put any hair product in my hair and still got an almost perfect blow out. It lasts for days, too ... even through hot yoga. Sometimes I will use a smoothing product before blow drying to provide even better results — smoother, shinier, softer hair. But the fact of the matter is, it all starts with this amazing shampoo!
Image Skincare: Daily Defense Matte Moisturizer Oil-Free SPF 30I get so excited when I find a sunblock with a good amount of zinc oxide in it. This one has 18% - woohoo! It comes in five different formulas. I love the matte for summer. I apply this after my antioxidant. It smells good and leaves a satiny matte finish that is just gorgeous. In fact, I have skipped my tinted moisturizer all summer because I don't like to apply anything after I use this sunblock. The only issue I have had with it is at the pool. As an undercoat, it can make your face dry and flaky if you are in and out of the pool or ocean all day. Opt for a thicker, more hydrating sunblock in that case. For everyday use, this is my favorite sunblock to date! Seriously good stuff!
LUSH: Karma Komba Shampoo BarI have always been a fan of LUSH products. And their solid shampoos are just plain fun and easy to travel with! This one smells amazing (orange oil, patchouli and lavendin oil) and lathers so nicely. However, do not get it in your eyes (stings really bad). This shampoo feels like a clarifying shampoo, so I choose to use it 1-2x a week. And I always follow up with a hydrating conditioner.
Cover Girl: NatureLuxe Water Resistant Mousse Mascara in very blackDeep rich black color. Somewhat water-resistant. For the most part, I like this mascara. The problem with this formula (beeswax) is that is takes longer to dry. So after applying, if you blink, your mascara ends up all over your eye. Now, I'm not perfect so I am always prepared with a wet Q-tip after applying mascara. What's lacking is volume. It claims to provide volume, but the formula is too wet to accomplish it. I have layered it over my volumizing mascara and it adds fabulous color. But who wants to use two mascaras all the time? Bummer, because I think cover girl is onto something.
Senna: Light Tricks The concept of this highlighter is great. One tip is an under brow highlighter, while the other is for the inner rim of your bottom lashes. The color is nice and sheer. Perfect for a natural everyday look. And it's smudgeproof and waterproof ... bonus!
Kerastase: Masque Nutri-ThermiqueMy hair always needs a little more TLC in the summer. I love everything about this conditioner. The scent. The hydration. The results (most importantly). It contains the optimum dosage of glucose, proteins and lipids for serious lock-in nutrition, protecting the hair from heat and general damage.
St. Tropez: Self Tan Bronzing SpraySt. Tropez makes stellar self tanning products, so I was excited to try this one. This is as close as you are going to get to a professional spray tan. The color is rich (and instant). It's fast — 360° spray technology. It doesn't stink while you are processing. And it's relatively easy to use. Infused with Aloe Vera, your skin will look tan and well moisturized. Because I am not perfect, I use rubber gloves when applying this. I like to rub in areas that may be prone to streaks, like my shins. The one mistake I made the first time, was going too heavy on my feet and lower legs (I was border line bronze/burnt sienna in color, depending on the lighting). I wish I could get more applications out of a can. However, that's the price you pay for spray. Overall, fabulous product for instant bronze goodness!
The team of testers were not paid to review these products. However, most of the products listed above were supplied as samples for review purposes.
