Episode #14 - Drugstore Mixed Bag!

This week we abandon all pretensions and review several drugstore items. A short show (40 minutes) but full of good stuff. Go give a listen to the full audio for episode #14 of Lip Gloss and Laptops at our podcast page, or download the MP3 file directly (40 minutes, 25 seconds).

Airdrie's Picks

Airdrie tested two new Venus razors in a "shave off". The Venus Vibrance is a vibrating version of the Venus Divine razor. Both are made by Gillette, have three blades, three lubricating strips, and replaceable pivoting heads. (There is also a new disposable version of the Venus razor.) When tested on her legs, Airdrie had a very positive shaving experience with the Venus razors. Most notably, she did not nick or cut herself in once during the five day trial. The Venus razors give a close, smooth shave. She did not, however, see any difference between the Vibrance and the Divine.

Conclusion: the Venus products are great, but the vibrating Venus Vibrance appears to have no advantage over the non-vibrating Venus Divine.

Prices are in Canadian dollars.

Kerry Anne's Picks

New Revlon ColorStay Soft & Smooth Lipcolor ($12.99CA, US price unavailable) I test drove the Lavender Luxe for this episode. This long-wearing lipstick, with the "Exclusive SoftFlex Formula" feels soft and satiny upon application, and doesn't end up as "grainy", dry and tight as some other long-wearing lip products I've encountered. The colour selection could be improved, and this one really is frosty but still wearable. Recommended by both Kerry Anne and Airdrie. Not yet shown on the Revlon website at episode release time.


Rimmel London Stars Mono Eye Shadow in Circus Chic($4.99CA). For the money I pay for Rimmel products, I am usually happy with their quality; this shadow, however, is a disappointment. The colour in the pan looks like a beautiful soft mauve with a bit of sparkle. "High colour intensity with one stroke application" is what the Rimmel site says about of this product, but when applied, the colour is translucent and all you can see are the sparkles unless you apply it quite heavily. The glitter gravitated all over my eye area (beside, below) by the end of the day and is the only thing about this product that lived up to this products claim of lasting eight hours. Not recommended.

Sally Hansen Cornsilk Zero Blackheads Pore Cleaner ($11.99CA, $5.49US). I should have known. I was not optimistic about this one, but who could resist that crazy brush? It does look like it could "scoop" the blackheads right out. I used this product twice this week and my blackheads did not improve. It is really more of a surface cleaner. And if you have sensitive skin or acne, you probably want to steer clear of this one. The combination of the irritating ingredients combined with the sloughing action of the brush could be too harsh for your skin. Not recommended.

Here's a link to Drugstore Doubles from the Godmother of beauty reviews herself, Paula Begoun. Paula is the best-selling author of the book every cosmetic-loving woman should own, Don't Go To The Cosmetics Counter Without Me, and now has her own line of cosmetics. You rock, Paula.

Where lipstick is concerned, the important thing is not color, but to accept God's final word on where your lips end. - Jerry Seinfeld