Sheer Cover Kit: Could it Be Sheer Magic? Sorta...

Okay, Leeza Gibbons had me impressed, REALLY impressed. I loved watching how everyone's imperfections seemed to fade away and how natural the product worked.
In fact, Leeza impressed me SO much so that after one fine infomercial, I bought her Sheer Cover kit.

For three months, I was hooked on the product. Since I am fair toned, I opted for that selection. When the product arrived, I was a bit intimidated by the two foundation canisters. The logic behind this is that I'm supposed to blend the powder to suit my skin tone. I laughed aloud at this thought since, as a single parent to three sons, I barely have enough time to put my makeup on in the morning, let alone go around blending things! So, my executive decision was that I would use the lighter shade in the winter and the darker in the summer since that's what my skin tends to do. And y'know, it worked!

With my fair tone, comes an array of freckles which sheer cover seemed to minimize. What I was most in awe of was the fact that the powder could cover as good, if not better, than foundation! Not only that, but the coverage appeared natural and did not irritate my skin as was promised with natural ingredients.

Included in my shipment was also a highlighter set which I loved! It was fun to highlight different areas that I didn't realize you were supposed to highlight until Leeza told me 'what's up' in her included CD.

Next there's the concealer which really does work wonders just like the fabulous powder foundation. The darker areas under my eyes seemed to shy away with a touch of this stuff. I've been through many concealers in my lifetime, sinking to even the lowest depths of department stores, only to find that none will work quite like this one.

Yet, in this shipment there was also a lot of junk. The folks at Sheer Cover wanted to make us all feel extra special and included a cleansing kit and moisturizer. After a few uses, I could see no benefit for my skin, plus the ingredients were too mediocre to include in a daily routine. Phooey.

Sheer Cover also makes mascara for this kit. Much like the cleansing stuff, I think this was just to fill the box. After a few uses, it ended up in a box in my garage. Anyone need free make-up?

The Bottom Line: Am I still buying Sheer Cover? Yes. Am I still Buying the Kit? NO. It's about thirty bucks a month to keep going with this kit and if you're not going to use half the stuff, it's definitely not worth it. I say buy the cosmetics individually from independent dealers, like my fav eBay, because unfortunately the website only lets you buy the kit.

Dr. Brandt Pores No More Vacuum Cleaner: Does it Suck them Up, Just Like That?

So what's with pores when you're in your late 20's? I never thought of them before, but I guess they're up to something. When I apply my make-up, I always take note of their size. What's happening is that as we age, our skin loses elasticity and pores are going along with it. So what's the answer to this seemingly doomed process?

According to the Dr. Brandt line, the answer is Pores No More Vacuum Cleaner. The website claims that it loosens blackheads and tightens pores.

I had to try the stuff last year after an unsightly whitehead appeared out of nowhere on my nose. It was more like a growth if ya ask me. I tried everything, even the forbidden practice of popping. After months of no results, I discovered good 'ol Dr. Brandt.

The product became extremely cool on my face, but gave the impression that something must be happening. Once your face looks blue like Smurfette, you're supposed to wash it off. No prob. After two applications, my strange looking nose formation disappeared. I was afraid that the results were temporary, but am happy to say that a year later my unwelcome visitor has not returned. I'm interested in exploring Brandt's other products to see if they will minimize the pores on my cheeks.

As far as the rest of the web goes, Dr. Brandt's product received mixed reviewers. From Beauty Buzzed a reviewer gushed about it's results, while another reviewer hasn't seen results after using it for awhile.

I just know it worked for me in such a short period of time, I can't help but give it a solid five stars!

Lancome Photogenic Lumessence Compact: Like the Liquid Version?

I admit I'm a foundation junkie. Being speckled with freckles had made me this way, by golly. So hearing of powders in our day and age that claim to have the same effects as foundation on our faces has gotten me curious. Currently I use Lancome Photogenic Lumessence liquid make-up. I love that it not only covers minor imperfections, but it offers SPF. Apparantly, the compact version does the same thing.

When going to Makeup Alley I was surprised to hear some of the results. One reviewer stated it covered even her scars, while another user discovered that it looked completely natural, no flakiness.

However, not all is happy in Lancome Compact world. One user broke out after using it, while another person shared that it easily came off. Even so, the product earned 3.9 out of 5, and 61% of reviewers would buy the product again.

Two Faced Lip Injection Extreme: Lip Plumper Magic?

Whenever I want to plump up these not-so-naturally gifted lips of mine, I reach for Too Faced Lip Injection Extreme. Instantly, my lips get stirred up and I have a decent pout.

According to the toofaced.com website, when used daily the effects are long term. I will admit that since I started using this stuff, my lips have stayed fuller. Not Angelina Jolie lips exactly, but a notch up for sure.


Other people have noticed quite a difference too. On the Amazon website, the product is rated 4 out of 5 stars from mostly happy customers. Many gush over the longterm results and coloring effects (it makes your lips redder), but other reviewers claimed that less expensize brands (think Sally Hansen) work better. However, the overall results show a bunch of happy and bigger lipped campers.

CSI Anti-Aging Skin Care Kit: My Unbiased Opinion

When my sons were first diagnosed with autism, I wanted to do everything I could to help. One of the steps I took was to go all natural in their diet. Strangely, this decision also led me to finding fantastic skin care.


When I started to analyze what my kids were ingesting, I began to scrutinize my own habits. I ate mostly healthy, but realized that a lot of the stuff I put on my skin contained unhealthy stuff. Such as Proactiv. Though I knew it was helping to ward off acne is some ways, in many ways it only irritated my skin.

At one point I decided it was do or die. Either I go the rest of my life throwing chemicals on my face in hopes I will look good, or I take the natural route.

The day I ordered CSI (for Cosmeceutical Sciences Institute) my life was forever changed.

The CSI kit I use contains a facial wash, toner, moisturizing cream and exfoliating scrub.

The Rose Hip Facial Cleanser smells wonderful and gives my face a thorough cleaning. It contains oils of rose hip, olive, and kumquat as well as seaweed extracts. I love washing my face now :)

After that is the fabulous CoQ10 Toner. I have never been a toner user because they dry my touchy skin out. This toner, however, does its job without making my skin flaky, plus I've noticed my pores reducing in size. The aloe vera is soothing along with chamomile and sage to balance my finicky pH levels. Finally, there's the beloved CoQ10 which I cannot say enough good stuff about. If you don't know about CoQ10, it's high time you did! It's a superhero-like antioxidant that protects your skin against free radical damage and we all hate free radicals! I also take CoQ10 in a vitamin.

The next step in the kit is the Super Hyaluronic Moisturizing Cream. When they say super, they're not kidding. When I first used the stuff, I had to ask everyone at work why my skin was flaking off when I put my makeup on! Apparently, that was the Hyaluronic acid at work slothing away dead skin cells and stimulating new cell growth, making my skin more radiant.

Finally, there is the Amber Honey Exfoliating Scrub which I sometimes just want to eat because it smells so darn good! It is a scrub that contains amino acids and makes my skin refreshed and renewed. It has been especially helpful in cleaning out my pores.

After using this for a few weeks, my acne issues were cured, gone, vamanos! No more break-outs, period maybe ever again! Also, people started commenting on my glowing skin which is a never-happened-before-occurance.

While CSI is fairly new to the skin care world (at least to my new happy world), I was able to find that it made it to truthinaging.com's Five Best Facial Cleansers List. Nice work, CSI!

If you are interested in treating your skin to this wonder, you can buy it from vitacost.com. This site also carefully lists the ingredients. Reviews can also be found there to help you decide if it's right for you.

Best of luck in your skin care endeavours!