John Frieda Styling Tools

Just a quick review of John Frieda's Styling Tools range featuring the Full Volume Hair Dryer ($49.99), Sleek Finish Paddle Brush ($12.99) and a Full Volume Thermal Large Round Brush ($14.9)! I've tried quite a few hair care products from John Frieda and think they're some of the most affordable, effective drugstore products out there. The Styling tools, launched last year are a new addition to the line.

Full Volume Hair Dryer - A hair dryer designed to provide more volume and shine. It is a 1875 watt hair dryer with a couple of toggle buttons for high, medium and low heat settings and a cold shot button to set your style. The design looks nice, but the dryer itself feels quite heavy. It gets a little difficult to use, especially when you are holding a styling brush on the other hand. It also is a little loud, even on the lowest setting. The heat control is really nice and the cold shot button is amazing to set any style in place. The handles are sleek, but I wish they had placed the controls elsewhere, probably somewhere on top or on the sides. I tend to switch the power off/on while styling because the buttons are placed where you'd actually hold the dryer! That aside, performance wise, I don't have any complaints. It helps dry hair really quick and adds a lot of volume too. The dryer also comes with a couple of concentrator attachments for precise heat flow and a diffuser to style naturally tousled waves. 

I like to use the Sleek Finish Paddle Brush when I want a little more shine and tame flyaways and the Full Volume Thermal Large Round Brush when I want to wear my hair wavy or style it into soft, bouncy curls. The thermal hair brushes withstand heat well and work just as good with about any hair dryer.

The brushes aren't heavy, but I prefer the Sleek Finish Paddle Brush a little more than the Full Volume Thermal Large Round Brush, just because the round brush tends to tug and pull my hair a little bit. I always use a heat protectant though. If you have wavy/slightly curly hair, the Paddle Brush, combined with good serum is an amazing way to add some sleekness and shine to your hair!

Have you tried any of the John Frieda Styling Tools?

Disclosure: The products in this article were provided by PR for consideration. All opinions are my own. For more information please refer to my Disclosure Policy.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Creme Compact

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Creme Compact ($45), a tinted moisturizer formula with SPF 20 protection in a convenient compact! The original tinted moisturizer in a tube is one of my go to products, something I reach out to all the time. The compact is travel-friendly and comes with a convenient sponge and mirror for easy application.

The texture of the tinted moisturizer creme in this compact feels a tad less creamier than the classic TM in the tube. I usually go for Sand but this time around, I got to try Bisque. Bisque is a nice match for me in the winter, but when I'm a little more tan, Sand works well. If you have dry skin, be sure to slather on loads of moisturizer, as it tends to enhance quite a few dry spots around the nose and cheeks. I also found the creme compact to be a tad more sheer than the liquid version, but the texture feels very buildable and doesn't get cakey. Application wise, I like to use the sponge that comes with the compact, rather than a brush or my fingers. The sponge actually picks up the right amount of product and helps with better blending, without making the end result look patchy or streaky. Since the product has a cream to powder finish, it tends to look semi matte, so I would recommend skipping powder, except if you tend to get extremely oily. It does wear pretty well throughout the day and feels very comfortable if prepped well with a good moisturizer.

Overall, I prefer the Tinted Moisturizer in a tube just a tad more than this one, just because my skin has a lot of rough/dry patches. I would also much prefer this in the summer or anytime when the weather isn't extremely dry. I do however like the cream to powder finish and how very lightweight it feels for a cream product!

Have you tried the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Creme Compact?

Disclosure: The products in this article were provided by PR for consideration. All opinions are my own. For more information please refer to my Disclosure Policy.

Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Violet Ink

Violet Ink ($23), a shimmery blackened violet is one of many beautiful shades from Bobbi Brown's Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner range. Violet Ink is a rather subtle violet that is dark enough to define eyes and add a hint of color at the same time.

Like all gel liners from Bobbi Brown, the formula is amazingly creamy, smooth and rich in color. The color is buildable and the shimmer isn't obvious or chunky. It looks more like a metallic sheen and works perfectly well as a base/cream eye shadow too. The only problem with Violet Ink is how fast it sets. It isn't very forgiving to mistakes and needs to be smudged out pretty soon. On the plus side, it stays on for hours together without creasing or smudging the tiniest bit, even on a hot and humid day. I've had Violet Ink for about a year now and I don't see signs of it drying out anytime soon.

Overall, although pricier than a lot of gel liners, these have a formula that is easy to work with and a pretty good amount of product to justify the price. If you like darker, black based purples and plums as an alternative to the regular black eyeliner, Violet Ink is a fantastic pick!

Have you tried the Bobbi Brown Long-Wear Gel Eyeliner in Violet Ink?