1. Neutrogena Healthy Skin Cream Powder Makeup SPF 20
Why it’s worst: This antiquated formula fails to provide sufficient UVA protection, has an unpleasant texture, and not a single shade looks like any woman’s skin color anywhere in the world.
2. Cover Girl Clean Makeup
Why it’s worst: A dated formula that spreads unevenly and looks pasty on the skin. It comes in mostly terrible colors and contains several potent irritants that give it a strong, medicinal fragrance.
3. Physicians Formula CoverTox Ten50 Wrinkle Therapy Concealer
Why it’s worst: Where to begin? From the over-the-top claims to the needle-like packaging to the spotty coverage and matte finishes that somehow manages to creep into every large pore and wrinkle, this is simply awful.
4. Cover Girl Cheekers Blush
Why it’s worst: This powder blush has a terribly dry flaky texture that applies unevenly, creating a blotchy appearance and the fragrance, oh my goodness!
5. Boots No7 Perfect Light Pressed Powder
Why it’s worst: With a texture that feels dry and waxy at the same time, this difficult-to-apply powder looks heavy on skin and the shades are mostly too pink or peach.
6. Maybelline New York Shadow Stylist Loose Powder
Why it’s worst: Despite clever packaging and a smooth application, this loose powder eyeshadow tends to flake endlessly even if you dab off the excess from the sponge applicator (which isn’t a good way to apply powder eyeshadow anyway).
7. Rimmel Professional Liquid Eye Liner
Why it’s worst: The long brush makes application trickier than usual but the real Achilles heel is the formula: it takes far too long to dry and smears easily.
8. Wet ‘n’ Wild Eyeliner Pencils
Why it’s worst: For less than one dollar, these need-sharpening pencils are the rare cosmetic instance where you really do get what you pay for. The creamy texture stays that way, which invites smudging and smearing all day long.
9. N.Y.C.(New York Color) Lippin’ Large Lip Plumper
Why it’s worst: Quite possibly the world’s most irritating lip plumper, this shimmer-infused lip gloss plumps lips with several potent irritants, including cinnamon, peppermint, and a menthol derivative. Ouch!
A friend of TBR sent this in after buying one of our soaps at an Anthropologie store. Word is they are hot sellers. Yea!!!
I found this blog called Pinky Brown, who is passionate about HOME design and creating new things out of the ordinary, who put our Anthropologie Doorknob Soaps on her must-haves list:
Here is an announcement I am very proud of:Three Bubble Roome gift sets of molded soaps that were commissioned by Anthropologie have just debuted on their website and in their stores across the US and UK..
The project began when their buyers noticed a posting last December on design sponge describing some soaps I was offering that were molded from Victorian doorknobs. What happened next was a 7 month collaboration with Anthropologie on the creation of special sets just for them.
I molded 3 doorknobs - Cameo, Magnolia, and Dahlia - and a keyplate, and the box that would house them. It was the biggest TBR project to date, with many people involved along the way. A great experience.
This great site for parents and those who love them has an expansive array of holiday gift guides. They were nice enough to include our Sugar Scrub in the guide for Teachers & Sitters.
a nice posting from an amazing site that knows about all things perfume:
From the NY Times...
Some great info and product recommendations from my fave skincare guru Paula Begoun:
A Brooklyn blogger came across our Sugar Scrubs and fell in love. Brix Picks seems like it has an amazing collection of cool finds.
(from wholeliving.com)This brightening mask exfoliates and stimulates circulation in the face, resulting in a warm, rosy glow.
Here's why it works: Unripe papaya contains natural alpha-hydroxy acids and high levels of papain, an enzyme that helps dissolve dead skin cells. Yogurt adds lactic acid (another alpha-hydroxy) and gives the mask a creamy texture, and honey helps skin retain moisture. When left on, the mask should tingle slightly; if you have sensitive skin or prefer a gentler exfoliation, use ripe papaya, which has less papain.
Green-Papaya Brightening Mask
1/2 cup unripe papaya, diced
1 teaspoon plain yogurt
1 teaspoon honey
Blend ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Apply to clean skin using fingers; leave on for 8 to 10 minutes. Rinse off using cool water and pat dry. Finish by applying a gentle moisturizer.
If you're short on time, try a ready-made mask that uses the same active ingredient, papain. Options include: Zia Fresh Papaya Enzyme Mask; Alba Hawaiian Papaya Enzyme Facial Mask; Sensuous Beauty Green Papaya Masque. (more...)
This comes in 5 flavors but I'm stuck on the grapefruit and tangerine one right now, maybe because the light citrus scent reminds me of summer. All organic, comes in a 10z recyclable container. You only need a little scrub once a week to buff your skin beautiful!- by Jennifer"
many thanks!!!
(from NYTimes, May 6, 2009)
(from NY Times, May 13, 2009)
This blog talked about the benefits of using hemp oil for healthy skin, and featured our Hemp Oil Lotion in Lavender & Geranium.
An adorable blog that TBR advertises on was nice enough to do a Sponsor Spotlight on us. Here are the blog author's words about what she does:
The always prescient Grace Bonney at designsponge was nice enough to showcase our limited-edition Ornament(al) Collection: doorknobs on her blog. These were really fun to make and recipients of the gift sets wrote in how much they liked them. Hopefully, they will be back online and available soon.
I have to get this off my chest: the Brown Sugar Body Polish from Fresh costs $65 and is a waste of money. Why? It's mainly oil and sugar. Why do I care? I don't like consumers being duped that paying more for something means it is higher in quality.
Noel at the blog Pretty By Nature was kind enough to spotlight our newest attraction: the Home Sweet Home 3-in-1 Spray. This blog is chock-full of beauty information with a hefty archive going back a few years. Check them out.
Three bears with red hobo packs over their shoulder sure seem happy to be going out for a picnic in this great set that is one of the best packaging examples in my vintage soap collection. The box for "Three Bears on a Picnic" by Lightfoot Soap Company (who I've talked about before) is in amazing condition considering it's age.
A beautiful blog with a very inventive focus on "all things chocolate brown and gorgeous shades of blue", Chocolate Blues, was kind enough to put our new Ylang Ylang & Cinammon bar on their site. If these are your two favorite colors, then this site is your Nirvana
