So I have this weird thing about liquid liners and mascaras where I'll really love them at first and they'll be my new favorite, but after a few uses they don't seem to perform as well and I'm back to searching for my next favorite. I don't know if it's because the formula changes or the product begins to dry out or just because I'm never satisfied but for some reason I can't seem to help but stray in search of perfection in a tube/bottle.

Anyway, I recently decided to give Urban Decay's liquid liner a shot to see how it stacks up against the competition. The color I got is called Oil Slick which is a shimmering black color. It's basically a black liner with iridescent micro glitter. I found that the glitter didn't stick only to where I put the liner but ended up all over the lid which was kind of annoying.

The handle on the brush made it easy to use, great for beginners or those who are accident prone (like me!) My only issue with the brush was that it made a thicker line than I usually prefer, I usually like just a micro-thin line.

I found the formula quite wet and it took a while to dry, I definitely don't recommend opening your eye wide before it dries or you will end up smudging it, or with a second line at your crease. But once it dried this stuff did not budge what so ever for the 6 hours I wore it.

Aside from seeing glitter every time I looked up, it really didn't irritate my eyes at all, totally wearable for extended periods.

Overall I quite like it, it was easy to use and I will definitely be using it again when I want a thicker more dramatic look, though for every day I might try applying it with a slanted liner brush for a micro fine line instead.

$18.00 by Urban Decay at Sephora

This review actually comes from my boyfriend who is a huge fan of this product. When we started dating many years ago he led a simple life, using whatever product he could find to spike his hair. Usually something along the lines of Dippity-do gel, or some other alcohol based run-of-the-mill hair gel which left his hair feeling crunchy and dry. That was until I came along, with my beauty product obsession I knew the relationship simply wouldn’t work out as it were and I suggested we look for something new (there’s nothing I love more than trying out new products.)

We searched high and low and eventually came across a medium-hold gel (actually more of a texturizing cream or paste formula) from Bed Head called Manipulator. Bed Head describes it as “a funky gunk that really rocks,” and “the perfect solution for optimum hold and styling.” I was sold on the fact that it wasn’t a drying hair gel, and the boyfriend loved the piña colada scent and the fact that the packaging wasn’t girly at all. And we lucked out, he loves this stuff.

It costs less than $20, while it is more costly than regular hair gel he liked that it didn’t dry his hair or make it feel too stiff and a little goes a long way so the small tin lasts quite a while. He likes that it’s non-greasy formula makes it easy to style and mold his hair just how he likes it, and it washes out nicely too without leaving any build-up. It can be used on dry or damp hair depending on the style you want to achieve and you can use more product for a stronger hold.

Definitely great for spiking hair or shorter hair styles, but Manipulator can be used on longer hair as well to achieve a piece-y look. I would even use it to smooth away any fly-aways. It won’t leave your hair feeling stiff and best of all no damage or drying. Costs a bit more than gel, but a little goes a long way.

Coconut oil is one of my best natural secrets for healthy shiny hair. Derived from the meat of the raw coconut, coconut oil is one of the most deeply moisturizing oils you can find. Available at most health food stores (Whole Foods, Trader Joe's) coconut oil is especially great for damaged, curly or ethnic hair types which tend to be on the dry side and in need of extra moisture. The oil is best kept in the refrigerator as it melts at room temperature, so leave it in the fridge and scoop some out as you need it. It has a light coconut smell nothing strong at all, but who would mind smelling like coconut?

For shiny hair apply a small amount (approx. 1-2 tsp) of coconut oil just to the ends of the hair for 15 minutes or so, massaging it in with your fingers. I avoid applying it too close to the roots because it’s usually the ends of the hair that need more moisture, the roots benefit from your heads natural oils so it’s good to give the ends some moisture too. Be sure not to use too much though, else it will be hard to shampoo out afterward and your hair could look greasy. Sometimes I even leave it on with a towel overnight. After, simply shampoo and condition the hair as you normally would. Et voila! It's that simple!

It also works great as a makeup remover for hard to remove mascara and lip products. Simply apply the oil to a cotton ball and swipe away any makeup residue.

Do you have any natural beauty tips? Be sure to fill us in.

I get so many questions asking me about the Beauty Blender so I thought I would write a review on it.

I've been using the Beauty Blender for almost 2 years now, I tend to switch it up every 6 months and buy a new one. I really love it, it looks like an egg with a point at one end.  It's bright pink and more gentle then a regular dense sponge you would get for makeup. It's really gentle on the skin and has almost a suede soft feel to it.

The reasons I really like this product are that it's totally re-usable and washable unlike most sponges which you should toss after each use. The Beauty Blender comes with its own Blender Cleanser if you choose, which works really well. Although I am sure any brush cleanser or gentle shampoo would work.

I mainly use the Beauty Blender to apply liquid foundation, I place a dollop of foundation on my hand then dab the rounded end of the Beauty Blender in the foundation to get it in the sponge. I then apply it to my face in almost a bouncing or stippling motion. I use the pointed end to apply concealer to harder to reach places like under the eye and the sides of the nose. I really find that when I use the Beauty Blender my foundation looks flawless. No streaks or harsh edges at all and I have to admit it is pretty foolproof I found it easier to use then my foundation brushes.

You can also use the Beauty Blender damp and apply liquid foundation that way, should you choose. Although be warned it does expand to nearly twice its size while wet.

The Beauty Blender is really gentle, latex free and non-allergenic.

Overall It’s a really great product to have in your makeup kid if you use liquid foundation, you could probably also use it to apply cream blush also. It works great, its washable and easy to use. Available at Sephora.com  

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