Review: Cult Classics - Fact or Fiction?

Seeing as it's the beginning of a new year, and just about every glossy magazine available to man has released their 'Best Of' and 'Hall of Fame' awards for beauty and body, I thought I would put in my own two cents worth before you rush out and charge the entire list to your already exhausted credit card.  On the request of a girlfriend, I've taken into account all of the 'Cult Classics' that have been praised and worshipped for years on end and reviewed them myself, in a more honest way.
Here's the thing - magazines actually have deals with cosmetic companies to subtly promote certain products in their glossy pages.  No, not Ads.  Think of it more as a special kind of bias.  So this can make it difficult for readers to get a realistic and honest idea of the product in question.

Having said that, cult classic buys are cult for a reason - they are bought by A HEAP of happy customers.  But us vain and intelligent girls know by now that not everything we buy is going to work perfectly with our individual skin, colouring, complexion (or insecurities) and so on.  And some of these cult buys are pretty taxing on the poor wallet.

Therefore, I have compiled a short list of 'Cult Classics' for the Aussie girl - as most of these "prestigious" beauty awards are based in international waters, its only fitting that the list be slightly more appropriate for us ladies Down Under.  Additionally, I have tried to include a range of prices from the amazingly cheap to the scarily expensive; just because a concealer costs more than your weekly groceries does not necessarily mean it's the best.

Invisible Zinc Tinted Daywear SPF30+:  This little classic is Australian made and owned and so it gives me a little reassurance that whoever is responsible for it actually had some understanding of the ridiculous climate of our fair country.  I love tinted moisturisers, and not only is this a moisturiser but more so a great sunscreen, and this is the only one I can wear to the beach on a hot day.  Not only does it have very high UVA and UVB protection but also anti-ageing properties (a nice consolation for the stress-induced anxiety that comes with wearing your first bikini for the summer.)  However - this stuff is THICK.  To be completely honest, it sometimes feels a little cement-like when you first put it on.  But it won't come off during the dy.  Even when cleansing! You will need to give your face a second wash to get rid of it.  And then tone as well.  Seriously; it's got some balls.  But all in all, its a winner.

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara:  Yes, yes; we've all heard the saying that one of these babies is sold somewhere around the world every 2 seconds.  I can't confirm if this is true; however, IF it is in fact gospel, then I can't help but be a little perplexed as to why?  Here's the positives:  1) it's great value - at around $10 a tube it won't eat away anyone's pocket money.  2)  it's quite natural - I found that it most noticeably made my eyelashes a little longer-looking and separated them nicely.  3) the small brush makes it useful for bottom lashes without much clumping.  Negatives:  I didn't find it amazing.
With all of the new-wave mascaras of the last couple of years - think the innovative no-clump plastic wands - it's hard to believe that this one is still topping the lists.  Particularly when we are spoiled for choice with excellent mascaras that deliver no-clumping volume, false-lash looks, extreme length and even oscillating wands.  But, each to their own.  This is still a good buy for some.  I say buy it in the waterproof formula and use it for beach or pool trips.  Very water goddess!

Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser:  Another amazing budget buy.  This cleanser is one of my long-term relationships.  It's not just dermatologically tested, but recommended; soap and fragrance free and is suitable for just about all skin types.  Any woman who already uses it will swear black and blue that they love it, and so, for some, their first use can be disappointing and I understand.  I first started using it as a teen with acne.  I instantly didn't approve as I thought cleansers should contain strong paint strippers and pimple-killing chemicals.  The thing with Cetaphil is that you have to give it TIME.  I persevered for about 2 weeks and then noticed the difference.  It's so gentle that it doesn't strip away natural oils from the skin, so now as a 26-year old woman with (gasp) DRY skin, it still delivers the goods. Even my country-boy manfriend uses it. And it's only around $10-$20.  Win.

ModelCo Tan Airbrush in a Can:  Let's be honest; fake tan is the way of the future.  I have very strong views on fake tan and its safe use.  In fact, look out for a post on it very soon.  But I digress.
Fake tan is a must in summer.  Tanning and everything associated with cooking ourselves for colour is now frowned upon and the tan market is saturated with all sorts of goodies.  But this is the one that many claim to have converted them.  I too must admit to being a long-time fan.  ModelCo now make their tan in a number of formulas and applications, but their original 360 degree spray can is the best.  The colour is good - slightly more yellow based on the skin, but not orange or streaky.  Provided, you will need to blend in spots.  Another cool hint:  all tans will rub off slightly on clothes and this is no different.  However, you may notice that the colour that appears on your garments, as well as what seems to build up around the nozzle, has a slight greeny-brown tinge.  This is a good sign.  It means that the formula contains a fair amount of Blue 1 (colouring) that helps to maintain a more brown, natural tone as opposed to a formula that is more Red or Yellow heavy, creating the "orangu-tan" look.  It's not a cheap buy - around $40 in most department stores - but it lasts a while and is worth the investment.  Have a shop around online and in some discount cosmetic stores.  It pops up a lot.

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream:  Probably one of the most famous and oldest cosmetics on the market.  Probably more a favourite with the more mature ladies, but I've had it lying around my bathroom since I was 20.  The original tube contains a slightly, orange gel-like substance that claims it can be used on burns, scrapes, chaffing and so on.  In fact, a girlfriend of mine's young daughters refer to it as her "magic cream."  And it almost is.  But be advised - it is NOT a moisturiser, nor does it have anti-ageing properties.  So why buy it?  It's multi-purpose.  Personally, I use it as a lip balm during our horribly dry and cold Melbourne winters.  It creates a somewhat barrier between the skin and the air, and gives a slight tingle when you first apply it.  Similarly to how it helps with healing burns and such - its a bit like a nice-smelling bandaid.  I give it the thumbs up.

John Frieda Frizz-Ease Hair Serum:  All us girls get the frizzies sometimes.  (And if you don't then God has blessed you, so go and donate money to charity or help granny across the road - give something back!)  Frizz-Ease exploded on the market a good decade ago now and has since proved its staying power by consistently showing up on girls dressers everywhere.  Not without good reason.  It's an inexpensive and accessible friend that you can find in just about any supermarket.  The directions on the bottle say to apply to wet or towel-dried hair, but I use it on completely dry hair as well, to good results.  Look, it isn't going to "transform" your hair like it says in the ads, (nothing that costs $16.95 is capable of that), but it does smooth and give a nice gloss to the frizzy, untamed masses.  And now, it comes in Extra-Stength formula, Over-Night Formula and Heat-Activated Formula, so you can rub some in before and after you blow-dry or straighten.  Tick!

Lancome Juicy Tubes:  Let's face it, there are a bloody TONNE of lip glosses out there.  I still have trouble keeping up with all the different types.  However, Juicy Tubes seem to have cemented themselves a little piece of cult history; similar to the Great Lash story, I've been told that something like one of these tubes is sold every minute, or maybe every 10 seconds, or....something.  Anyway, they're very popular.  They now come in an absolute army of different shades and they do smell very nice.  However, it is still, at heart, a lip gloss.  It is going to come off fairly often.  And considering one tube can set you back $46, I'm still not 100% sold.  I found them to be fairly moisturising on my lips and one of the colours I owned - I believe it was Rasberry Ice - left a nice pigment.  But at the end of the day, they're not a whole lot better than many others.  They do smell lovely, so perhaps thats what got the ladies flocking to the Lancome counter.

Palmer's Coco Butter Formula:  I left the best until last.  If you leave here with nothing else but this I will be a satisfied girl:  every woman, vain or not, needs to own a bottle of this.  There's no downside.  It's cheap, it smells like chocolate, it's a beautiful moisturiser and it even smoothes marks and tones skin.  Naomi Campbell swears by it.  She may be a completely terrifying, long-legged she-devil, but hey, she's hot!  Palmer's have garnered themselves a real cult following for this little piece of genius.  I have been using it for about 10 years.  It melts into the skin nicely and actually feels like its doing something to my poor, scaled legs.  I also use it to help blend in fake tan.  Plus, manfriend says I smell like dessert.  And to add even more accolades, Palmer's now have their own Gradual Tanner, using the same coco butter formula combined with tanner to give a nice, healthy glow without the questionable "fake tan stink."  Absolute winner!


So there's my first list for 2011.  Look out for more reviews and ratings in the near future.  In the meantime, if you have any other honourable mentions you'd like to add to the Classics list, tell me about them!

Until next time, Pretty Ladies.....