by The Budget Beauty Babe
And the results are in!!! Yours truly reporting back for the Budget Babe on E.l.f.’s line of bath and body products. I have tested and rated these products based on 5 criteria; Value, Presentation/Packing, Scent, Performance, and Overall impression. Please note that while I did test each scent and each product, I did not test each product in every scent (no use for 5 of everything!) Here we go...

Lavender Blossom Cleansing Anti-Bacterial Hand Soap

Value: Meh. Not really a budget buy in my humble opinion. You can get a big ol’ container of liquid hand soap at Target for a fraction of the cost, not really feeling this.
Presentation/Packaging: The packaging is pretty, but its also pretty average. I don’t think its cute enough to make me want to spend the extra few dollars for it.
Scent: This scent claims to be Lavender with Chamomile undertones. Now, I’m not exactly a “nose” (French perfume developer) however I do know the scent of Lavendar (and Chamomile for that matter) and this is not it. Its pretty obvious to me that there is absolutely no real lavender used in this product (ingredient list read: fragrance). It smells like the foam that came with my Ariel Barbie Seahorse when I was 11. Wack. Everyone and their uncle knows lavender, so you won’t smell budget, you’ll smell cheap. The scent also lingers for a long time.
Performance: The soap works nicely. Nice lather, and nice feeling afterward, doesn’t dry out the skin.
Overall: I’m not going to throw it out the window, but I’m not going to purchase it again. The “lavender” that doesn’t smell like lavender is a huge turn-off, and I can get much cheaper liquid soap that works just as well. Even with a different scent I would still say its not budget enough.

Vanilla Coconut Conditioning Body Butter

Value: Good. The tub is a nice big size, and its packed to the hilt with body butter. Although the things we want to be working on us (sweet almond oil, jojoba oil, coconut butter, and coconut milk) are not the first on the list, at least they’re before fragrance. Good amount of product for the price.
Presentation/Packaging: The tub is nice, and we’re a fan of being able to scoop out nice thick butter from a easy access container. Nice graphics, overall cute appearance.
Scent: Whoa!!! Offensive! Open the jar and take a whiff and you get assaulted by a strong chemically coconut scent. Personally I really disliked it a great deal, and I normally a big fan of coconut vanilla. The scent also leaves skin almost immediately, which in this case is a plus, while normally I would say I want a beautiful scent to linger.
Performance: Works pretty well. I think it does its job, conditions rough spots nicely. I do like it for rough heels and dry tootsies, although the smell was so offensive I was hesitant to try it anywhere above my ankles.
Overall: Like the butter, hate the scent. I would buy again in another scent.

Cucumber Melon Soothing Bath Gel

Value: Ok. As a body wash- Nice sized container, but, for the quality of the product I would say stick to drugstore brands, which are cheaper. To be used as a shaving lubricant- Great. Really made my skin super slick and the shaving process really nice, just a little goes a long way so as a alternative to shaving gel I would say this is a good value.
Presentation/Packaging: Cute, ok, whatever. Didn’t really do much for me, and the container is really hard plastic so squeezing is out (have to wait for the soap to drip down, borrrrring yawn)
Scent: Pleasant, sweet and refreshing. Your typical cucumber melon fragrance, You pretty much get what you expect with this one (which compared to the others is not a bad thing). However, the scent does not stay on your skin once you wash it off (good or bad depending on your preferences).
Performance: Works well. Lathers great, smells great in the shower, awesome lube for shaving. No freaky residue, and no dried out skin.
Overall: One of my favorites from the set. Although not a bargain for body wash, its surprising ability to replace shave gel makes it a budget winner in my book. I simply felt clean, which means it did its job.

Pineapple Mango Nourishing Body Lotion

Value: Fair. Ok sized bottle, but compared to like a huge thing of Vaseline body lotion with Shea Butter for $3 its not really that big of a bargain. Here the important ingredients are low on the ingredient list way after fragrance (good test of amount of product, since very little fragrance is used), where there the cacao seed butter is like third on the list with fragrance coming in next to last… ouch to Elf.
Presentation/Packaging: Average. Looks like Victoria Secrets Lotion packaging.
Scent: Ok. I think I’m forcing myself to like it, because I feel so critical I want to like something! Its fruity, and pineapple-y, but its also chemically…. The scent also fades within minutes.
Performance: Its got a pretty thin consistency, which means this size container won’t last long. It takes a lot to do the job, it feels nice, but you can feel it sitting on top of your skin. Didn’t really sink in. (Still prefer the Vaseline with Shea butter for 3 bucks, hands down)
Overall: I will finish the container in probably six months when I’m all out of my other lotions and desperate, but I will not repurchase this item.

Peony Petal Moisturizing Hand Cream:

Value: Wack. What you get isn’t worth the four dollars.
Presentation/Packaging: Boring, cute, whatever.
Scent: Smells EXACTLY like the pink soap you use to wash your hands in public bathrooms (aka, generic mass-produced floral scent). So unless you want to smell like you just showered in a Burger King or Great America bathroom sink, avoid this scent.
Performance: This hand lotion gave me a rash. I had to wash it off immediately to make the burning stop, so I can’t really tell you if it works or not.
Overall: Would never use this product. Although more expensive, the value of a good hand cream like L’Occitane Hand Cream is in the end more budget. You use less, the huge container lasts longer, and you’re getting a good quality product made with quality ingredients.

In conclusion I have to say I’m not a fan of these products. The ingredient lists read like a laboratory experiment, and the texture and scents of the products really reflect lots of chemicals and high turnover, low production cost consumerism. The labels are misleading and promise all the beautiful all natural ingredients we crave, while in fact the amounts in the actual product are probably close to negligible. I don’t think they’re a bargain, and I really don’t recommend using them. Sorry if you’re disappointed, I was too! But seriously, bargain and budget in the beauty world especially means finding the best quality for the price, not just the cheapest.

Look for an upcoming review of e.l.f.'s brand new line of mineral makeup.

Read our review of Bare Escentuals bareMinerals makeup. >>
Find out if e.l.f nail polish is a hit or miss. >>
Get more beauty tips and advice from the Budget Beauty Babe >>

Upon seeing the new M by Mariah perfume ad, we marveled at it's mediocrity. Not because we have anything against Mariah Carey (we are in awe of her incredible voice and have been huge fans of her music since the early '90s) but because the photoshoppage is cheesy and has a low-budget feel.

However, we read an interesting tidbit about the thought process behind the ad and it kinda helped us see it in a new light: According to Eyeshadow Government, the ad - which pictures the songstress cradled along a lake's surface below a glowing sunset, her hair damp and curving - is an allusion to French post-Impressionist painter Henri Rousseau's 1897 masterpiece, The Sleeping Gypsy.



The Sleeping Gypsy, 1897 by Henri Rousseau. Oil on canvas, 51" x 6' 7"

Now we know what you're thinking - at first glance, it's hard to see any resemblance between the two images. But knowing a bit more about Rousseau and the meaning behind The Sleeping Gypsy brings the similarities into focus: The subject of his painting is a musician, a traveler, a wanderer, a dreamer. At the same time, she is an outcast with no clear social standing. She slumbers beneath the stars, vulnerable and exposed.

Sure, Mariah's professional career has been wildly successful, but you can guess where we're going with this - Considering Mariah's personal struggle for acceptance and search for self (The Emancipation of Mimi comes to mind), one can easily see how she might relate to the poetic message of this particular piece of art.

Rousseau himself was also somewhat misunderstood (what artist isn't, right?) and criticized throughout his career for a perceived lack of talent - and yet he had a huge influence on painters who followed him, including Picasso, and today his work hangs in some of the greatest art museums in the world.

Personally we've always enjoyed Rousseau's strange and wonderful paintings that allow imagination to trump reality, and creativity to surpass technique. And we'll continue to admire Miss Carey for her talent and willingness to so openly expose her emotions through her music. (But don't count on us to buy the perfume!)

Shop M by Mariah at Elizabeth Arden >>

Oh dear - The Clorox Company recently purchased Burt's Bees. Hmmm...one makes bleach, the other makes natural bath & beauty products. Seems like an unholy alliance, but according to a message on the Burt's Bees web site, customers can count on them to continue making natural, earth-friendly and budget-friendly products.

We love Burt's Bees for their wholesome goodness and hope they don't change any ingredients - but just in case they do, we thought we'd review some of the Burt's Bees products currently in our medicine cabinet...


[1] Almond Milk Beeswax Hand Creme - Insanely moisturizing. The tiniest dab goes a looong way. So rich, we typically only use this during the winter months and to massage onto cuticles. Great for toes, too. Smells tasty. $7.99 at Drugstore.com
[2] Rosemary Mint Shampoo Bar - Boyfriend just started using these, and loves them - use it as shampoo and body wash! What man wouldn't love that? Smells divine, but then again, we're partial to mint (and our boyfriend's scent...mmm) $5.99 at Drugstore.com
[3] Hair Repair Shea & Grapefruit Deep Conditioner - This was a let down. Our hair can get rather dry and brittle between trims and this conditioner just didn't give it the thirst-quenching moisture it needed. Didn't last very long either as we'd need to use huge dollops of the stuff just to achieve mild conditioning. Smells good though. $7.99 at Drugstore.com
[4] Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Creme - Another uber moisturizing and nourishing creme - but apply sparingly because boy, does this stuff last! Perfect for dry heels and cuticles. We used this throughout the summer to help extend the length of our at-home pedis. $8.99 at Drugstore.com
[5] Burt's Bees Citrus & Ginger Root Body Wash - This body wash is peculiar in that it doesn't get a great lather, but we don't think tons of bubbles are necessary for a good clean, anyways. Smells different in a good way. Love the colors and packaging, which serves as an important pick-me-up during our morning shower. $7.99 at Drugstore.com

Do you have a sweet spot for Burt's Bees? Talk about it in the comments!

Need some sun? Get glowing with a free bronzer from e.l.f.!
- Click the pic for details -
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Warm tan: Use code EGBROAL2
Luminance: Use code EGBROAL3

Just this past week I ran out of my wonderfully fabulous Unstoppable eyeliner by Maybelline New York. In a panic, seeing as I have some kind of psychological problem that makes my palms sweat and nerves shake if I leave my house without eyeliner, I ran to my local Jewel Osco to quickly snatch up a replacement. Unfortunately for me, they were all out of the Unstoppeable liner - but had a new product called Line Stylist, also by Maybelline New York - and so I bought it. Same company, same idea, same thing, right? WRONG!!!


After using the Line Stylist eyeliner I found myself unable to see through my contacts, as a mysterious white film had developed on the lenses. Nothing seemed to get it off, not my regular cleaner, not special strong cleaner, not even enzyme cleaner. Now, I don’t know about you, but I’m not a fan of feeling like I rubbed my contact on a greasy porkchop before sticking it in my eye. But Budget Beauty Babe, you say, how could the eyeliner possibly be to blame? Well, that’s also what my boyfriend said to me as I hysterically popped my lenses in and out trying to wash them off while screeching that it must be the new eyeliner.

So to prove my theory, I did a little experiment: clean them (as best I could) put them in with it, and then repeat without it. Needless to say, since this is a warning post, it WAS in fact the eyeliner. I also had this confirmed later by an eyedoctor, seeing as its taken me over a week to get my lenses back to a clean enough state where I can see through them again. Vile!

Granted, I wear rigid gas permeable contact lenses (better for your eyes, the environment, and your wallet ladies!) so that’s why I can’t just toss them and put in a clean pair, but regardless, in my time of greasy vision I’ve done some research online and found that this problem will simply destroy soft contacts. So beware ladies! Do NOT wear Line Stylist eyeliner if you wear contacts! I immediately threw mine away, and ran to Walgreens where I bought another stick of Unstoppable eyeliner, my faithful friend. In addition to classic black, I recommend Sapphire, a beautiful dark blue color that looks great on lots of skin tones!

xoxo
The Budget Beauty Babe