Product Review: Maybelline The Falsies Volume Express Mascara

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Mascara is... tricky.  Sometimes the brush is perfect and the formula is too thick/thin, and sometimes the formula is brilliant and the brush is too small or the shade is too bold, etc.  

For a while, I've been using two mascaras at once.  It was working for me very well, but I really wanted to try this new mascara to see if I could eliminate time in the mornings, and it wasn't expensive.  Previously, I was using L'oreal Telescopic Explosion for length and separation, and then coating Maybelline Lash Blast over that for volume.  It looked really great and it held the curl of my lashes much longer.  But, it is an extra step and I wanted something quick.

I picked this up and tried it the next morning.  I bought it in blackish brown.

Pros:

• The color makes my blue eyes pop a bit more than plain black mascara.
• The brush is curved, and it grabs every lash at once.
• It dries fairly quickly.
• It doesn't clump very much.
• It's very easy to take off at night.

Cons:

• The packaging looks a bit generic and the lettering is a bit hard to read, though I do like the shade of purple.
• I have to swipe the tip of the brush on the rim because it gets a bit of a product overload and can cause clumping.
• It's a very flexible formula, so it's naturally a bit on the "wet" side.  This means that it smudges pretty easily.
• It in no way makes it look like I have false lashes on.  Which.... honestly isn't that big of a problem.

Overall, I really do like the mascara, but after a few days of using it, I haven't decided if it's my HG (holy grail) mascara yet.  I don't like having to check and make sure I don't look like a raccoon every few hours, but it does make my lashes look very full.  I'll give it a 3 1/2 waffle stack rating.

Movie Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 1

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I just got back from the theater.  

YOU GUYS.

This movie was amazing.  

I am not embarrassed to say that I am a huge Harry Potter buff.  I know almost everything about it, and I have read each book more than once.  This last book?  I've read it four times.  Four.

So yeah, I kinda like Harry Potter.

I don't want to give anything away for you guys, so I'll just give you my opinion.  It was a very well put together movie, and I laughed, teared up, and shook in my boots.  It was a little bit depressing and, of course, dark because of He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.  But I left that theater thrilled with the movie, because it was so in line with the book.

The creators didn't even bother giving a recap of what was going on, so if you haven't seen the other movies, don't see this one.  You will have no clue what's going on, trust me.  I kept having to lean over and tell my dad what was going on, and I think that's why he wasn't incredibly thrilled with the movie.  I, on the other hand, loved that I didn't have to sit through some awkward, forced rehashing of the entire plot.  It was refreshing, to say the least.

All in all, I loved it.  Clearly.  I'm giving it a 4 1/2 out of 5 waffle stacks!  (And just so you know, I wore red and gold eyeshadow to support the house of Gryffindor.  Now do you believe that I'm a total fan-girl?)

Product Review: Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Boosting Mousse

Oh dear.  I think I've fallen in love.  Don't try to stop me; I'm already in too deep.

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This mousse has changed my life.  If you weren't referred here from my other blog, this is what it did for my hair:

I'd say that's pretty great.  I have very thick hair, but it's pretty straight lately and it lacks body most of the time.  So, on a whim, I bought this bottle of mousse.  To be honest, I just liked it because it was purple.  And it has changed my hair life forever.  Mine actually has a purple lid, not a green one, and is level 2: Extra.  I can't even imagine how big my hair would be with Level 3!

Pros:

• Gives my hair amazing volume.
•  I put it in damp hair, blew it dry, and curled it like usual.  I flipped my head over and hair sprayed it, flipped back up, and this is what it looked like.  Right off the bat.  
• The packaging is really cute

Cons:

• The only one I can think of is that the cap is kind of hard to remove and put back on. 

So in the end, I'm going to give it a 5 out of 5 waffle stacks.

Love,
Caroline

Movie Review: Life as We Know it

Holly Berenson (Katherine Heigl) is an up-and-coming caterer and Eric Messer (Josh Duhamel) is a promising network sports director. After a disastrous first date, the only thing they have in common is their dislike for each other and their love for their goddaughter, Sophie. But when they suddenly become all Sophie has in the world, Holly and Messer are forced to put their differences aside. Juggling career ambitions and competing social calendars, they’ll have to find some common ground while living under one roof.  - Synopsis from Fandango.com


Last weekend, my family and I wanted to see a movie when we had the chance.  This was one of only two movies available, and the other one wasn't an option, so we saw this.  It's rated pg-13, and for good reason.  There were certainly some things that could have been left out, and the idea of the story was a little far-fetched.  I do have to say, though, Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel have great on-screen chemistry, and the baby is as cute as can be!  


The story was peppered with humor, though there were some parts that made me cry.  It was a relatively good movie, though it was, like any other romantic comedy, formulaic.


Pros:

• It was very funny at times
• Katherine Heigl, though not my favorite actress, hit the nail on the head in the playing of a shell-shocked new mother.
• Josh Duhamel was excellent with his humor and his complete lack of knowledge in regards to being a father.
• The baby was cute, and provided a good break from the drama at times.
• It was a good movie for just sort of checking out for two hours.
• Josh and Katherine had great on-screen chemistry

Cons:

• There were a few inappropriate moments that could have certainly been left out!
• The story line was a bit unrealistic at times.

I'd give it 3 1-2 waffle stacks!  I, being part of the target audience I'm sure, really enjoyed the move overall.

Product Review: Sea Breeze Sensitive Skin Toner

For someone who highly appreciates clear, smooth skin, I'm lazy when it comes to washing my face every night. It takes so long, and it gets water everywhere!  So, when I'm just too tired to wash my face properly, I turn to the next best thing:  toner.

This is the second toner I've tried, and it works very well.  Toner is usually used after washing the face to remove excess sebum, makeup, and dirt that was left behind.  But actually, toner can be used on its own in a pinch.

If I don't cleanse my face every night, I get acne.  Without fail.  So, I can't go to bed without cleaning it up!  If I don't feel like doing a full-on wash, I'll just use toner, and Sea Breeze works fantastically for me.  The smell is harsh and not so great, but I can see the grime that it picks up off my face.

Pros:

• Removes all the necessary grime to prevent acne
• Doesn't dry out my skin
• Doesn't irritate my skin
• Helps get rid of my blackheads, little by little.

Cons:

• The smell is pretty strong!
• The packaging is a bit on the generic side

Overall, I will give Sea Breeze Sensitive Skin Toner four and a half out of five waffle stacks!

Product Review: Caress Whipped Souffle Ultra Silkening Body Wash

I was looking for a new body wash, because I wasn't happy with the smell of the my Dove body wash.  Also, it dried my skin out more than I though it should.  And my skin is already dry enough!  So, when we went to the commissary on Sunday, I picked up a bottle of this Caress Whipped Soufflé body wash, because I had heard some really great things about it.  Here's what I think about it:

Pros:

• The packaging is really attractive, and the pink color of the wash is cute.
• The smell is pretty nice straight out of the bottle.
• It leaves my skin really soft after I use it.
• It doesn't foam up a lot, so I can tell it doesn't have any parabens or harsh chemicals like that.

Cons:

• The smell doesn't last at all.  Once your rub it into your skin, it gets and odd after-smell (?) that is a bit reminiscent of bath salts.
• The product isn't well concentrated, so you have to use a lot of it.
• It's a little bit slimy in texture, and it takes a minute to wash the slimy feeling away.

So overall, it's not a bad product, because it does moisturize my skin and that's what I need.  So yes, I would buy it again.  But, there are a lot of things I don't like about it that I'll just have to deal with to get the moisture I need.  So overall, I'll get it a 3 1/2 out of 5 waffle stacks.

Product Review: Illy Brand Coffee

Click here to go to the Illy website.

I have loved coffee since I was, I think, ten years old.  I love the smell, the taste, and all the different things you can do with it!  So, suffice it to say, Italy has been wonderful.  

I practically wept when I heard there are no Starbucks Locations in Italy, but it's truly been ok.  Every once in a while I crave my venti no classic breve iced coffee, but I'm sure it will make our reuniting ever sweeter.  

For now, I am loving the way Italians drink coffee, and one of their favorite brands is Illy.  I found out that, though it's more expensive, it actually sells in the states!  So you can have a little taste of Italy, too.

We have a can of the Illy espresso powder, and it's very good.  The best place to drink Illy is in a cafe where someone else (a professional) makes it for you.  In that regard, Illy is truly delicious.  The home espresso, though, is still phenomenal.  It has a perfect level of strength and vibrancy (oh look who's fancy now), but it doesn't have any bitter aftertastes.

Cons?  I'd say that if it's even slightly overcooked, it does tend to get a strange aftertaste, but it's not too pronounced.  Also, again, the stuff from cafe's is way better.  I think I'll be giving Illy Brand Coffee 4 out of 5 waffle stacks, and I definitely think you should try it!

Carolina Pad Weekly/Monthly Planner

When my mom was in the states a few weeks ago, she went to Target.  She knew I needed a planner for school, and so she picked up one that she thought I would like.  And boy, was she ever right!  (And no, neither of us noticed it was "Carolina" pad brand.  I just noticed as I was researching it for the review. A little coweenkeedink.)

This is the planner that I have.

It is my favorite planner.  I've had several in my 11 years of schooling, but this is by far, the best.

First, I love the pattern.  It's cute, girly, fun, and very "me."  Not to mention, every month is a different color!  On the inside, there is plenty of room for writing down events in the calender section, and several pages in which to write notes, in more detail, about each day's events.

The size is great!  Whenever I go anywhere where I might need a planner, it generally fits in my bag, most of the time.

Cons?  Well, there are pretty cheesy "helpful hints" at the top of each calender page, and I'm pretty sure I could live without those.  Also, I think the squares on the calender should be just a wee bit bigger.

Overall, then, I would give the Carolina Pad Hot Chocolate planner a 4 1/2 out of 5 waffle stacks!

Welcome!

Hello, everyone!  This is my reviews blog, where I will give you my opinion on everything from shampoos to cleaning products to recipes.  I ask that you comment on my posts if you've used the product before, and give me your opinion, too; I'd love to hear it!

Thanks so much for reading, everybody.