Jonathan Product Serious Volume Volumizing Shampoo/Conditioner Review

I caught onto the vegan hype a year ago and was trying out all things vegan. Living in a big city like New York made it easy, as there are many hip vegan eateries all over the city and grocery stores that sell vegan produce.

When I heard about Jonathan Product's Serious Volume Volumizing Shampoo/Conditioner, I knew it was only natural for me to get it. This line is free of sulfate and washes hair with a sugar foam base.

Although I was told that this shampoo (8.4oz for $20 at Sephora) is highly concentrated and I would only need a little ("a little goes a long way), I found myself using a significant amount of shampoo to clean my hair the way I want to. Granted, that has been the curse of having thick hair, but I never had to use this much shampoo.

The other thing I did not like about this shampoo was that my hair would tangle up into a big web of mess after I shampoo due to the sugar foam base. Maybe sulfate wasnt such a bad thing after all. Needless to say, I did not purchase the shampoo after I finished it.

As for the conditioner? I did not like it either. The conditioner (8.4oz for $22 at Sephora) had a hard time untangling the mess created by the shampoo. Sometimes, drug store brands are better as proven in this case; also, they dont break your wallet! There is one thing that I love about this line. It smells so amazing - like sugar :)

Murad Energizing Pomegranate Lip Protector SPF 15 Review

I bought the Energizing Pomegranate Lip Protector SPF 15 last week after reading about it as a best beauty buys in a magazine and I am loving it. Pomegranate is well-known for its high antioxidant content and this lip gloss is infused with doses of pomegranate extract.

What I like about it is that it is not sticky or too glossy, but protects my lips against chapping with a sheer tint of color. Just what I am looking for. I also like to layer it on top of my lipstick or use it alone for a natural look! Best part: it has SPF 15; something everyone should look for in a lip protector.

Buy it today at Sephora, $16.50: Energizing Pomegranate Lip Protector SPF 15. 10% of the retail purchase price will benefit the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Boscia Fresh Blotting Linens Review

An oily and shiny face is never in. To combat shine, I turn to Boscia Fresh Blotting Linens. I found them to be the most economical and it does an amazing job! Unlike powdered blotting paper, this blotting linen absorb oil without creating the cakey look. Boscia Blotting Linens is the size of a card holder and fits perfectly into any makeup case.

Buy it today at Sephora, $10 for 100 sheets: Boscia Fresh Blotting Linens. Comes in Original, Green Tea (pictured), and Lavender.

Clarisonic® Skincare Brush Review

My skin has never been better since I started using Clarisonic Skincare Brush. I purchased this brush at the urging of those models and have been using it for the past 3 months.

I wanted to be sure I got my money's worth because $195 for a skincare brush is no small matter. This is the experiment I did for 1 month. I cleaned half my face with Clarisonic and the other half the regular way. What I noticed after 1 month was that the half that was cleaned by Clarisonic was brighter, healthier, and more luminous. That was all the proof I needed! I started using Clarisonic religiously on my entire face. The sonic frequency moves Clarisonic's soft, gentle brush back and forth at more than 300 times per second to give you the deepest possible clean.

A word of caution, I did a trial by using the sensitive brush. Initially, I did experience slightly more breakouts (for about 2 weeks) but I continued to use it as I was told that was normal. After the 3 weeks mark, the only thing I experienced was smoother, cleaner, and more healthy looking skin. I am not sure why that is, but I think my face just was not used to such a deep clean. The amazing part of this brush is that after I cleaned my face the regular way, I would go over it again with Clarisonic and Clarisonic would pick up dirt from what I thought was a clean face. Imagine my horror!

The following benefits are listed on the website:

• 6 times more makeup removal
• Leaves skin feeling and looking younger and smoother
• Cleanses so well that products absorb better
• Gentle enough for twice daily use
• Helps reduce oily areas, dry skin patches and blemishes
• Helps reduce the appearance of visible pores
• Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

What I love, love about this brush is that it feels as if I am with my facialist everytime I use it. It has something to do with the sonic frequency that moves the brush back and forth at more than 300 times per second!! I think paying $195 for the brush can actually save me money in the long run because I no longer need to go for facials every two weeks! I do it once a month now because there is just not a need. I have friends who suffer from eczema and rosacea and they love that Clarisonic is gentle enough for them!

Set includes: A Clarisonic brush and charger, one sensitive brush head, a 1 oz Refreshing Gel Cleanser, 1 oz Nourishing Care Cleanser and a 1 oz Hydrogel Cleanser. Replace your Clarisonic brush head every three months and cleanser every two months, if used daily. The gray brush can even be used to apply shaving lubricant for a closer shave. I got mine in pink because that is my favorite color. Buy one today at Sephora, $195: Clarisonic Skincare Brush.

Beauty Gifts: Neiman Marcus

The Estée Lauder Dream Event: Exclusively at Neiman Marcus

Your Free Gift with any Estée Lauder purchase of $55 or more. Enjoy a 7-day supply of Re-Nutriv Ultimate Youth Creme and Hydrating Creme Cleanser, the latest lip and eye colors, a 10-day supply of new Sumptuous Bold Volume™ Lifting Mascara, and a stylish black patent-trim tote and cosmetics bag. A dream gift, worth $150.00.

Your gift includes:
• Deluxe Gold Fluted Compact containing Estée Lauder Signature EyeShadow Duos in Rosenberry, Black Moon, Mocha, and Plum Sugar and Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Rubellite, Autumn, and Sugar Honey.
• Full-size Pure Color Long Lasting Lipstick in Candy.
• New Sumptuous Bold Volume™ Lifting Mascara in Black (10-day supply).
• Re-Nutriv Ultimate Youth Crème, 7 milliliters.
• Re-Nutriv Intensive Hydrating Cream Cleanser, 30 milliliters.

Start shopping at Neiman Marcus.

Beauty Gifts: Bloomingdales

Get a deluxe 5-piece gift with any foundation or moisturizer purchase of $32.50 or more. Choose between Warm and Cool tones. Go to Bloomingdales today.

Guerlain Meteorites Illuminating Pressed Powder Review

The legendary Meteorites powder gave birth to a new illuminating pressed powder!!! This latest product from Guerlain comes from a line of cult favorites and is expected to be a best seller in no time. In fact, the most popular color, Beige Enlumineur, is already sold out at most stores. Lucky for me, mine is sitting pretty on my vanity table :)

Inspired from the classic Meteorites pearl, this pressed version like its predecessor leaves a faint scent as it washes over your face to give a healthy glow.

I did not think Guerlain can ever out-do the Meteorites pearl, but oops they did it again. The packaging for the pressed powder looks classier and prettier than the pearls - paper packaging never really worked for me. The best part, the pressed version makes it easier to pick up the powder with a fluffy brush. I love the subtle glow it gives to my complexion.

As noted on Sephora: Each compact contains an array of four complementary shades that create a luminous glow, the correcting color in the center can be used to conceal redness, cover blemishes, or tone down dark undereye circles. Swirl on the corresponding matte and pearlescent hues to touch up your look with a subtle iridescence.

This visually stunning pressed powder comes in three shades: Mythic Parfait (translucent glow), Rose Frais (rosy glow), and Beige Enlumineur (golden glow). Check it out at Sephora, $65: Guerlain Meteorites Illuminating Pressed Powder. I know it is on the slightly expensive end, but one compact lasts forever (1-2 years, depending on frequency of use). The hardest thing for me was using it for the first time, because it looks so pretty in the compact that all I wanted to do was to look at it!