Product Review - L'Oreal Double Extension Beauty Tubes mascara

The ad for this product was too good to be true. For only $8.87 (Wal-Mart in Texas price) my eyes could sparkle, flutter, and knock men's socks off worldwide. This was the perfect addition in my attempts to steal Hugh Jackman from his wife when I am in Australia next week!

On a whim, I decided to purchase the L'Oreal Double Ext...ok, you can read the title.

The site claims 'you can get the same salon-like extension result that is completely hassle free' without spending $600 on professional extensions. While I have been told my eyes are my best feature of my face, I've never been a fan of my 'average' eyelashes and am quite envious of those who do get the sleepy, sultry effect from having thick ones. I chunked the product in my cart and headed about my merry way.

After applying the product, I must admit, while it does provide some 'extension', it certainly did not perform as well as an $8 bottle of black paste should. I'm a faithful subscriber to the all time best seller and classic Maybelline Great Lash mascara, which is half the price. It gives my eyes a smokier appearance and is easier to wash off.

The beauty tubes product is a two step process and requires a steadier hand - the first application is a white cream of some sort that 'lengthens and separates'. The second requires the better control over your hand - if you don't cover all of the white, you look like you have eyelash dandruff, and that's just a fashion faux pas. The mascara is also a little more difficult to remove. With most mascaras I have used, a warm washcloth and some eye makeup remover does the trick. With this, it felt like I was pulling off my lashes, and I don't have any to spare.

Overall review? I liked it, but not enough to justify spending $9 on it. When the price falls to $5.00, I may consider buying it again. Until then, it sits in my makeup tray.

Food Review - Pizza Hut's "The Rustica" pizza

Every so often I get a wild craving for a pizza. Something about the crispy crust, the hot cardboard box, and throwing $20 away on instant gratification is enough to make me do a mad dash for the phone and order one. However, I'm watching calories and carbs and everything else that gives cause for lovehandles this new years. So when I discovered Pizza Hut is *finally* making pizzas with wheat crust, I jumped on the chance to test it out. Wheat bread in general is known for being dryer than white bread, less sweet, and just plain boring. Curious, I ordered "The Rustica" displayed above behind the pepperoni pizza.

From the website: "With a multigrain crust, all-natural pepperoni or Rustica sausage, all-natural mozzarella cheese and all-natural sauce made from vine-ripened tomatoes, you'll fall in love with pizza all over again. Get a medium Natural Pepperoni for $9.99 or a medium Natural Rustica for $11.99!"

Before I jump into "all natural" and "pepperoni" being in the same sentence and the huge oxymoron that creates, I will remind myself this is an overall review and not a lesson in grammar and lying. Clickety click, I ordered the pizza online and anxiously awaited its arrival to my front door.

After battling a Bulldog attacking the pizza guy, shoving money in his hand, and sending him on his way, I hurredly stuffed my face with this steamy, 'healthy' creation.

My review: Not bad. The crust was substantial, not soggy at all, and held the toppings well. All cheese is good cheese to me, and Pizza Hut did not fail. The sausage had a delightful zing to it with no strange nauseating after-taste, and the tomatoes were deliciously seasoned. The sauce tasted a little different than the last time I recall eating a Pizza Hut pizza, but it wasn't something to complain over.

One pizza lasted me 3 days and 4 meals, with 2 slices over. I ordered a medium. I hope that the wheat crust is soon available on other variations of pizza, like a margherita or supreme. Even the morning after, the pizza still held freshness and a crispy crust.

I give it a thumbs up.