Product Review

by POPSUGAR Moms

Kidz Bop has recorded everything from Christmas carols to the biggest hits of today, but can it pull off rock ballads? If your kid aspires to be a rock star one day, these kid-friendly versions of rock hits will introduce him to classics like Peter Frampton's "Wind of Change" and Cheap Trick's "The Flame."

As it turns out, Kidz Bop Sings Monster Ballads ($10) is a winner. The songs are catchy, the guitar riffs are well executed, and the kid singers are fairly talented. The highlight of the CD is "Every Rose Has Its Thorn," which features Bret Michaels of Poison on guitar with the vocal accompaniment of his daughters Raine and Jorja. So pop Kidz Bop in, educate your lil ones on rock ballads, and enjoy the kiddie classics too.

by OnSugar Blog

Lots of moms like to think out loud and PatiBF is one of them. This is an excerpt from the latest post to her Baby Style blog.

Sandra never used a bottle, she'd spit them right out so we've been using sippy cups exclusively since she said bye to the boob shortly after her first birthday. It's hard to find a good sippy cup! And yes we have tried all of these sippy cups in my search for the real "no spill" sippy.

To see PatiBF's findings, read here. Want to see more? Start following Baby Style or start your own OnSugar blog. It's easy, it's free, and we just might feature your content on our site!

by Brittney Stephens

Anything that claims to "work while you sleep" will always get my attention. I like the thought of a product just working its magic while I catch forty winks — and that's exactly what FreshSkin Dreamy Sleep Night-Time Moisturizer ($42) does.

Though the FreshSkin line is technically geared toward women in their teens and early 20s, I have skin that's just finicky enough to qualify as adolescent. In addition to keeping me looking clear and smooth, the FreshSkin moisturizer is extremely hydrating, and it brightens my skin (this is especially noticeable after a late night). Not only does it include a potent complex of Vitamins A, C, and E, but It has the loveliest lavender-infused scent, which helps me to sleep better.

While it isn't the least expensive nighttime moisturizer on the market, it packs a lot of punch with very little product. After cleansing, I smooth a pea-sized amount over my face and neck, and let it sink in. Then I sink in to a good night's sleep, knowing that my skin will look great in the morning.

by Miriam Lacey

I like my concealers to have a few qualities: good opacity, nondrying formula, and excellent wear. And happily, I can say that Revlon's PhotoReady concealer SPF 20 ($10) matches all those criteria nicely. It's a lot like another drugstore favorite of mine, Maybelline Cover Stick ($6), but it's a little less cakey and the colors blend more smoothly into my skin.

I bought two different shades, Light and Light Medium, to use on different parts of my face. I use Light on my forehead and cheeks and use Light Medium under my eyes and along my jawline. It's something I wouldn't have been able to do if I were purchasing a more expensive product, but I think the look is much more natural, since the skin under your eyes is generally a little darker. I do recommend wearing under-eye primer with it, because, like all concealer, it settles into the folds a bit. Other than that, though, I've been very pleased, and I feel slightly less impoverished by my beauty habit.

by Miriam Lacey

If you need a high-protection sunblock that's super portable, look no further than the new Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream Targeted Sun Defense Stick SPF 50 ($20). Its name may be as long as the stick is, but the stuff inside really is great. It smells like one of my favorite warm weather scents, citronella, and the consistency is nongreasy, which is rare for a stick sunblock.

Miraculously, I also haven't broken out while using it, which is only true of one other sunscreen, Suntegrity, which is my usual daily-wear sunblock.

The stick is also water- and sweat-resistant, so although you'll still have to reapply after a swim or an arduous hike, it doesn't just melt off of you the way most sunscreens do. My only quibble is with the price. I know good sunscreen isn't cheap, but for such a small size, it would be nice to see the price a tad bit less expensive. However, a little goes a long way; I've been using it all over my face a couple times a day for a week, and I don't think I've even managed to make a dent in it. That's why this stick will be sticking around my beauty bag this season.

by Miriam Lacey

Long-lasting, highly pigmented cream blush tends to be expensive; a good stick can run you upwards of $30. So that's why I'm going to let you in on something I recently discovered while wandering around Walmart: Bonne Bell Blush 'N Go ($5). I purchased the Petal Pink shade on a whim, and I've been using it for two weeks now. Surprisingly, not only does it have excellent pigment payoff, but it spreads beautifully, lasting just as well as most cheek stains nearly six times its cost. To see how the shade looks on and find out what pricey products this one resembles, just keep reading.

by Miriam Lacey

It's rare to encounter a beauty product that actually does make you feel like you're using something luxurious and precious, but Burberry's new Lip Mist ($30) has me fully in its thrall. From the delicate magnetic snap of the cap aligning itself to the elegant shimmy when its tube swivels, designer Christopher Bailey and company have managed to create a product that's rife with sensory detail. Simply put, it's incredibly satisfying to use. And the lipstick that's inside doesn't lack for charm, either. I tried the Lip Mist in Copper, so to see how it wears and get a full review, just keep reading.

by OnSugar Blog

Lots of moms like to think out loud and inbliss01 is one of them. She recently wrote about her kids' love of water sandals on her OnSugar blog, My Joy and Delight.

I absolutely fell in love with these Keen sandals I bought for my kids!! I wanted sandals that not only looked great but that could also be sturdy and comfortable and they were more than that. We went practically all over Puerto Rico and my kids were comfortable. They played in the water, climbed rocks, and did a lot of walking. After all the sightseeing and adventures we had, these sandals will still be great all summer long!

Want to see more? Start following My Joy and Delight! Or start your own OnSugar blog. It's easy, it's free, and we just might feature your content on our site!

by Miriam Lacey

Are you endlessly delighted with dial-a-lash type mascaras, rotating wands, vibrating brushes, and other novelty eyelash-enhancing miscellany? Then you should be delighted about the latest in mascara technology: Buxom Amplified Lash Mascara ($22).

"And why should I be making a run on Sephora for this stuff?" you may be asking. Because it transforms. That's right, the wand on this new product gets longer or shorter with a twist of the cap. I tested the wand at different lengths so you can see whether it really does make a difference, so to see the expandable brush in action, just keep reading.

by Miriam Lacey

People have always used lanolin for softening hands and elbows, but for whatever reason I'd never thought about the fact that it softens lips, too.

Enter Lanolips, a cute Aussie brand known for 101 Ointment ($18), a balm that hydrates everything from dry undereyes to fly-aways. Now, it's taken its formula and created Lip Ointment With Colour ($14), which looks and tastes like a Juicy Tube, but has all the lip-healing goodness of lanolin.

It's really softening, and I've been applying the pink rhubarb shade constantly. My lips feel significantly less dry, and it's also nice that the ointment contains medical-grade lanolin, so people with chemical sensitivities may find it easier to use. I still prefer the 101 Ointment for really dry lips and general moisturizing, but for a lip gloss, this one scores pretty high indeed.