Cilea Eyelash Enhancing Treatment: Before and After Review

Cilea Eyelash Enhancing Treatment

Many of us fantasize about having longer, fuller lashes. There are many options available that promise to take your lashes to new heights. But with so many choices, what should you choose?

I previously used Latisse and liked it quite a bit, but I ran out about two months ago and decided to try an over the counter lash growth product.  I've now been using Cilea Eyelash Enhancing Treatment ($69.95), which contains lash conditioners, peptides, and biotin, for about 6 weeks. Here's what I think:

Pros

1. Gentle, Non-Irritating Formula:  Unlike Latisse, which has a powerful formula that can irritate your eyes if applied too close to the lashline, Cilea doesn't have any negative side effects. You can apply it right up against your lashes, all over your lids, on your brows or on your lower lash line.
2. Lash Growth:  My lashes are naturally short, and they got pretty stubby again after I stopped using Latisse. Cilea mitigated some of this effect and my lashes grew somewhat.
3. Brow Enhancement: My eyebrows are naturally sparse as well. Applying Cilea Eyelash Enhancing Treatment to my brows has made them fuller.
4. Large Quantity of Product: Cilea contains 7 ml of fluid. Most other over the counter lash products contain half as much. 

Cons

1. Not Enough Lash Growth: My lashes grew a little but definitely not a lot. The increase was much smaller than that of Latisse. I don't necessarily expect Cilea to compete with a prescription product, but I would have liked to see a bigger change.
2. Expensive: The $69.96 price tag is pretty darn steep for less than staggering results. I would like to see either a cheaper product or higher performance for the price.

Check out my before and after pictures for more evidence:

BEFORE Cilea Eyelash Enhancing Treatment

AFTER Cilea Eyelash Enhancing Treatment

As you can see, my lashes got a little bit longer but the difference isn't incredibly noticeable.

Still, I love the gentle formula of Cilea Eyelash Enhancing Treatment, and I welcome any increase in lash length, however small. Cilea has an opaque tube so it's difficult to tell how much is left, but I estimate that I can get at least 1-2 more months of use. I plan to continue using this product to grow and maintain my lashes, but I will probably explore other options after my tube of Cilea runs out.

Disclaimer: I received a sample of this product from the company for consideration. My review is based on an honest assessment of the product and was not preapproved by PR or brand representatives.

Laura Geller Sugar Free Blush-n-Brighten with Brush in Raspberry Review and Swatches

Laura Geller Sugar Free Blush-n-Brighten with Brush in Raspberry

After my giveaway, several readers said that they would like to know more about Laura Geller. Some of Laura Geller's most popular items are her Blush-n-Brighten blushes ($31), which consist of silky, marbleized pigments swirled with sheen for a glowing finish.

Not everyone likes sheen though, so Laura Geller developed a "Sugar Free" version -- that is, the famous Blush-n-Brighten blushes sans shimmer.

Laura Geller Sugar Free Blush-n-Brighten in Raspberry Swatch

It turns out that sugar free things can be addictive too, and I'm currently in love with Laura Geller Sugar Free Blush-n-Brighten with Brush in Raspberry ($36). This matte, baked blush includes swirls of peach-pink, plum, tan and ruby that combine for an overall berry effect that's mostly neutral but has touches of warmth. 

Laura Geller Sugar Free Blush-n-Brighten with Brush in Raspberry

Laura Geller Sugar Free Blush-n-Brighten with Brush in Raspberry is such a lovely mid-tone shade. I may have a penchant for bright blushes, but I love the balance that this product strikes between brightness and subtlety: you get a strong dose of color while still looking perfectly natural.

You can purchase Laura Geller Sugar Free Blush-n-Brightens alone for $31 or with a retractable brush. I have the blush/brush combo, which costs $36, and I must say that the brush is very high quality. The synthetic bristles are super soft and pick up product easily. I also love that the brush is retractable. Inside the cap, there is a plastic tube that slides up and down the brush to make sure that the bristles don't get tweaked. Perfect!

Laura Geller Sugar Free Blush-n-Brighten with Brush in Raspberry has been getting plenty of play in my makeup routine. I love dusting some on top of a bright cream blush for extra depth and staying power, or wearing it alone for a great everyday look.  Laura Geller is known as a blush expert for a reason!

Disclaimer: I received a sample of this product from the company for consideration. My review is based on an honest assessment of the product and was not preapproved by PR or brand representatives.

Butter London Nail Lacquer in West End Wonderland Review and Swatches

Butter London Nail Lacquer in West End Wonderland

My apologies for the blurry picture. It shows up sharp on my desktop but fuzzy once I upload it. Darn!

Either way, I hope you can tell that Butter London Nail Lacquer in West End Wonderland ($15) is a fun glitter nail polish. Featuring medium-sized flecks of gold, silver, and bronze, the shades of glitter in this nail polish combine for an overall warm champagne effect that's lovely and fairly subtle as far as glitter goes.

One coat of Butter London Nail Lacquer in West End Wonderland is pretty sheer and would work well for layering. Two coats gets you nearly opaque coverage. I'm not a huge glitter fan, so I think I might prefer layering this polish over another color for a different look.

I tend to get good wear time from glitter polishes in general, and Butter London Nail Lacquer has a particularly long-lasting formula. The resulting combination? Butter London + glitter = five or six days of excellent wear. I don't know about you, but I get sick of my nail polish fast and was ready for a change by that point!

Overall, I think Butter London Nail Lacquer in West End Wonderland is a nice option for gold/champagne glitter nail polish. The price is pretty steep though, and I'm not sure that this shade has that special "Wow" factor I've come to expect from other Butter London Nail Lacquers. The formula is great but I still recommend that you shop around for a cheaper option unless you're a glitter aficionado.

Almay Wake Up Liquid Makeup in Buff Review and Swatches

Image via Almay.com

If I didn't have an oily complexion, Almay Wake Up Liquid Makeup in Buff ($12.99) would be my new favorite foundation.

But seeing as I'm stuck with the skin I've got, I'm going to have to regretfully leave this fabulous product to those with normal-to-dry skin. Those lucky ladies better listen up!

Almay Wake Up Liquid Makeup in Buff provides extremely natural-looking medium coverage with a gorgeous, dewy finish. I was SO excited when I first applied it -- I don't think I've found a more luminous looking drugstore foundation before. It masks pores well and includes SPF 20 for great daily sun protection.

Almay Wake Up Liquid Makeup in Buff Swatch

The shade "Buff" is a light, warm-toned beige that looks very yellow when swatched. I thought it would be too warm for me, but it actually blends out well and meshes with my nearly neutral, slightly golden light skin perfectly.

While it looks good at first and the coverage doesn't fade, my face gets overwhelmingly shiny within 2-3 hours. Blotting and powder are no match for my oily pores. Almay Wake Up Liquid Makeup is designed to be a hydrating foundation (it's water-based) and, sadly, the moisture is just too much for me.

Bottom Line: Almay Wake Up Liquid Makeup in Buff is a high-quality, affordable foundation that just doesn't work with my oily skin type. If you don't have oily skin, I definitely recommend that you check this one out and flaunt the glowing, healthy-looking skin that this product provides!

What's your favorite drugstore foundation?

Dr. Hauschka Rhythmic Night Conditioner Review

Dr. Hauschka Rhythmic Night Conditioner

Dr. Hauschka Rhythmic Night Conditioner ($89.95) is an extremely unique product. Designed to be applied nightly in a 28 day cycle that moves in tandem with the skin cell renewal process, Dr. Hauschka Rhythmic Night Conditioner is a holistic blend of ingredients that balance moisture, tone, and revitalize skin.

Sounds great, but I have discriminating taste when it comes to holistic products. I typically prefer clinically-tested ingredients over holistic remedies, so I was pretty skeptical of Dr. Hauschka Rhythmic Night Conditioner.

HOWEVER. This product actually works. Despite my doubts, Dr. Hauschka Rhythmic Night Conditioner has made my skin more vibrant, soft, and less oily. This product has fortified and toned my complexion so much that it actually feels stronger to the touch. I have naturally thin skin, so having a smooth, resilient cheek is a big change!

Dr. Hauschka Rhythmic Night Conditioner Ampules

Dr. Hauschka Rhythmic Night Conditioner is packaged in individual ampules for easy application. Though they look small, the ampules include a very generous quantity of product. I typically squeeze out about a third to coat my face, splash another third on my shoulders and decollete, and squeeze out the final amount to add another coat to my face. My skin gets thoroughly covered each night! Plus, while it's designed as a 28 day regimen, the package includes a total of 30 ampules as an added bonus.

Dr. Hauschka Rhythmic Night Conditioner includes rose oil, aloe, sunflower extract, witch hazel, and royal jelly to soothe and renew skin. The ingredients are diluted with water so I don't think they pose much of a risk for sensitive skin. The formula is still potent though; I've noticed that Dr. Hauschka Rhythmic Night Conditioner consistently zaps burgeoning zits before they get a chance to surface.

I've been so busy, stressed and destabilized lately. I truly feel that Dr. Hauschka Rhythmic Night Conditioner has been key in preventing my skin from flaring up in response to the hectic conditions in my life. While it's certainly on the pricier side, Dr. Hauschka recommends that you only do a 28 day Rhythmic Night Conditioner cycle two to three times a year to keep your skin in tip-top shape. If you are willing to shell out for skin care, I suggest you try Dr. Hauschka Rhythmic Night Conditioner for a product that will balance and rejuvenate your skin tone.

Related Posts:

• Dr. Hauschka Natural Pastels Rouge Powder Duo in Soft Rose Review and Swatches

• Dr. Hauschka Lipstick Novum in 02 Copper Beach Review and Swatches

Disclaimer: I received a sample of this product from the company for consideration. My review is based on an honest assessment of the product and was not preapproved by PR or brand representatives.