Review - Bare Escentuals Well Rested

I've had this product for about three weeks, and I must say that I am impressed with it and I enjoy using it. For regular readers of my blog, you probably remember me mentioning something about my dark under-eye circles. Ever since high school, I've been trying to find ways to effectively mask and disguise these circles. I've watched video after video, read tip after tip, and tried product after product. This was actually originally recommended to me by Jacqueline from A Brilliant Brunette, so I thought that I would give it a try. I don't know if I've found a solution with which I am completely satisfied, but I can say with certainty that I do enjoy this product--Bare Escentuals Well Rested!

What it is:
The Bare Escentuals Well Rested is described as a brightening shadow base that is meant to reduce the visual effects of a long day or a sleepless night. While it seems as though it is more geared towards using around the eye area, it can also be used for dark shadows in other places--such as around the nose and lips.

My impression:
As I stated earlier, I've been looking for my HG ("holy grail") products to minimize the appearance of my dark circles. I had been doing much research, and after seeing the numerous great reviews that have appeared online for this product and getting a personal recommendation from Jacqueline, I thought that I'd give it a try!

This product came in one of those jars that most mineral makeup seems to come in, complete with sifter. I would have to say that the packaging works pretty well. The sifter releases just enough product into the cap and I don't experience spilling. When I first looked at it, I thought that maybe it was a little too light. You've all seen my pictures--I'm a tan girl!

I actually ended up layering this product over my Smashbox Apricot primer and MAC Select Moisturecover concealer, applying it with a fluffy blending brush similar to the MAC 224 (I actually use one from Coastal Scents with the pink handle). I find that if you apply it with a light hand and with a fluffy brush, it really does brighten up the eye area. I will say that you should be careful not to apply too much of it or too heavily, because it will definitely make your under-eye area look too light--so those of us with darker skin, be warned!

As for using it as an base...I haven't tried it yet. Since my Too Faced Shadow Insurance and Urban Decay Primer potion really seem to be working for me, I don't intend to give it a try.

My recommendation:
I really do enjoy this product and I think that, when used in conjunction with my other products, does a great job of brightening up the dark areas underneath my eye. I feel that it definitely gives me a fresh, new look. Application is fairly simple, but I think it's all about finding the right balance with the product to make sure that the area looks bright, but not too light.

The rundown:

• Product: 4.5/5

• Packaging: 5/5
  

• Quality: 5/5

• Overall: 4.8/5

• Would I buy it again?: For sure!
  

• Where to buy: You can buy this from any Bare Escentuals counter, their website, Sephora, Ulta, and probably other places as well. I purchased mine from Ulta.
  

• Price: $18.00
  

• Pros:
  + Brightens eye area
  + Looks natural
  + Product is easy to use
  

• Cons:
  - Can look too light if not applied with a light hand

I hope you found this review helpful!!!

Disclaimer: I have not been paid to review Bare Escentuals Well Rested. I purchased all of the products reviewed in this blog post and did not receive them for free. I ensure that this is my true and honest opinion.

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Review - PICKerr UPerr

I feel as though I've used this enough times to write a decent review on it (well, I should hope so, anyway!). Some of you might remember this from my last haul post made a few weeks ago. The product that I will be reviewing is the PICKerr UPerr. Hopefully this will appeal to all you nail fanatics out there!

What it is:
The PICKerr UPerr is described on the Sally Beauty website as a double-sided wand used for picking up large and small rhinestones. The smaller end is used for smaller rhinestones while the larger end is used for larger rhinestones. The tips of the ends are made out of silicone, which allows for not only easy pickup, but also easy depositing. The tips do not need to be wet.

My Impression:
When I first saw this in the store, I will definitely say that I was a little bit skeptical about whether or not the product would work. I couldn't quite comprehend how something could easily grab onto something, but just as easily let go of it. I figured that I would give it a try since I was already there, I had plenty of rhinestones, and it was pink (my favorite color!). I have used it for two nail designs thus far (I made sure that I put plenty of rhinestones on the first time I used it!) and found it to be agreeable.

It definitely was able to pick up the rhinestones and let go of them just as easily. I can't really explain how it works--it just does! The only downside is that when I was using it, I couldn't just dip the PICKerr UPerr into the container and come out with a rhinestone. Rather, I had to lay the stones on a flat surface, like the table, for it to effectively be able to pick it up. Though the pickup required a little more work than I had anticipated, the dropoff was perfect--allowing me to precisely lay it down where I wanted. The rhinestone adhered perfectly to the desired area!

My Recommendation:
I definitely think that this is a handy tool to have. It keeps you from having to buy toothpicks all of the time, plus you can just keep this one handy tool in your nail kit or what have you. The big and small sides are definitely a plus because I know that there are a ton of different sized rhinestones. I wouldn't quite consider it a "must have," since it could be substituted with toothpicks or even the tweezers (I had no idea about the toothpicks back then, haha) I was using way back when...but I think that if you are looking to splurge on a little something extra or are looking to give someone that loves nails a small present, this would certainly be an option!

The Rundown:

• Product: 4/5

• Packaging: N/A

• Quality: 5/5

• Overall: 4.5/5

• Would I buy it again?: Should the other one break, yes!

• Where to buy: There are places online that sell them, but I purchased mine from Sally Beauty.

• Price: $4.49 online / $3.99 with Beauty Club Card

• Pros:
  + Sanitary
  + Two ends for different sized rhinestones
  + Releases easily and allows for precision
  + It's PINK!!!

• Cons:
  - The stones need to be on a flat surface for it to effectively pick up stuff

I hope that this review was helpful to you!!!

Disclaimer: I have not been paid to review the PICKerr UPerr. I purchased all of the products reviewed in this blog post and did not receive them for free. I ensure that this is my true and honest opinion.

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