Conor Reynolds
Age: 26
Location: Baltimore
Favorite brands: Gillette
Desert island item: Sunscreen SPF 70+
Tea Tree Utility Bar by Beardbrand, $15/5 oz.
For more information, visit https://www.beardbrand.com/collections/utility-bar/products/tea-tree-utility-bar
What I liked most about the product was its: Aroma; Packaging; Consistency, or formulation
Other.
Comments: When SpongeBob was trying to get Gary to take a bath - he shouldn't have pretended that the bar soap was a gold doubloon - no, he should have enticed him with a Tea Tree Utility Bar by Beardbrand. With attractive, minimalist packaging, a refreshing scent (reminiscent of the oh-so-familiar experience of waking up on the shores of a tranquil mountain lake on a crisp Alaskan morning, surrounded by beautiful pines), and non-irritating suds - this bar would have been a slam-dunk for our favorite sea sponge’s efforts.
This product exceeded my expectations.
Comments: "How great could a bar of soap be?" - Idiot me, before trying Tea Tree Utility Bar by Beardbrand. Seriously, this is now my go-to for my shower routine. I feel fresh and revitalized after using this product. This product's aroma is revitalizing - lifting my withered spirits on a bleak Monday morning. The spritz of, could it be - menthol? Perhaps...but perhaps we may never know.
I followed instructions for this product: I did my own version of the instructions.
Comments: I started using this as a traditional bar of soap. After being very satisfied, I even went so far to use it as a shave soap, which I found to be less irritating than my traditional shave foam. I forwent the option to use as shampoo; however, I'm sure it would be great in a pinch.
If I was making this product, I would change its: Color.
Comments: Small detail; however, I think a stone-gray color would subtly reflect the cool, refined, and refreshing nature of this soap.
I would recommend this product to a friend: Highly.
Comments: This product may not necessarily be the working-man's soap. I say that, not out of assumption; rather, I haven't used it for any deep clean. If you're out chopping trees down, laying down railroad tracks, or welding steel - this soap's scent and texture would suit your lifestyle. I'm not yet sure how it would do, though, when it comes to getting clean after a long day's work.
I am _________ this product: Running right out to the store to buy.
Comments: Once the bar runs out. I should mention - the shelf life on this soap is wunderbar (pun absolutely intended). I've been using it every day for about 3 weeks and the leaf insignia is still completely visible.
Anything else you would like to add? I would like to add more Tea Tree Utility Bar by Beardbrand to my toiletries cabinet.
Sea Salt Spray (in Old Money) by Beardbrand, $22/3.4 fl. oz.
For more information, visit https://www.beardbrand.com/collections/sea-salt-spray/products/old-money-sea-salt-spray
What I liked most about the product was its: Aroma.
Comments: Beardbrand's Old Money Sea Salt Spray: The product I never knew I needed (still subject to debate)! To be brutally honest, I'm still not entirely sure what the purpose of this spray is. I use it after a shower (which involves shampooing/conditioning), and after patting my hair dry. The main draw for me is the aroma. Imagine drinking black coffee from a tin mug, engulf in flannel, will sitting next to a sputtering fireplace in a cabin. That's what this stuff smells like.
This product somewhat met my expectations.
Comments: This product neither dashed nor exceeded expectations. In fact, I'm still trying to decide whether it has a place in my daily hair care routine. Not that there is anything wrong with it, but I'm not sure that it is a necessary addition to my preferred regimen. What I found was that this product provided the desirable texture of "beach hair;" however, I didn't notice my hair actually looking much different. This could very well be user error.
I followed instructions for this product: What instructions?
Comments: Small spray bottle. Minimal text. I made an educated guess and sprayed it in my hair.
If I was making this product, I would change its: Packaging.
Comments: My biggest gripe with this product is the packaging (for the small bottle - the larger size provides a spray-gun style nozzle, rather than a pump). This product gets a bit bubbly inside of the bottle and because of that, runs into some hang-ups when applying more than one pump. I find myself pressing the nozzle 3-4 times for every one spray of the product, leaving my hands tired and my spirit dashed.
I would recommend this product to a friend: Somewhat.
Comments: This is a product that someone with awesome hair and a mature hair care regimen needs. I have average (at best) hair and, up until joining the Beauty Buzz Team, only used whatever paste/gel was the least expensive at Safeway. Perhaps this product is intended for an audience with more refined taste.
I am _________ this product: Not willing to invest in.
Comments: I appreciate having my little bottle of Beardbrand Old Money Sea Salt Spray in my medicine cabinet; however, once it runs out, we will go our separate ways. I learned a lot from my relationship with Beardbrand Old Money Sea Salt Spray, and with its help, I've grown as a person. I will always appreciate you, Beardbrand Old Money Sea Salt Spray, even though I will most likely never see you again.
Anything else you would like to add?
Body Spray by Bálla, $20/6 fl. oz. at birchbox.com
For more information, visit https://www.ballaformen.com/products-2-0
What I liked most about the product was its: Aroma; Packaging.
Comments:
"Did you just shower?" - My friend Matt
"New cologne?" - My Dad
"Wow you smell nice!" - My Mom
These are a few, of many, RAVE reviews that I've gotten since I began to include Bálla Body Spray to my morning routine. Heck! Scratch "morning" out of "morning routine”—this has become an essential for me before leaving the house.
Bálla Body Spray has a fantastic aroma. It is neither too overpowering nor too faint. It's perfect—just right. This body spray falls into the Goldilocks zone of men's body sprays.
This product exceeded my expectations.
Comments: I'm normally not a cologne or body spray guy. I was blessed with a non-offensive natural musk. This may stem from my lack of physical exertion, but that's neither here nor there.
I really didn't think I would use this product as much as I do, but it's become as essential as brushing my teeth in the morning. If you smell good, you feel good. If you feel good, you do good. And let me tell you, after using Bálla Body Spray (for men), I smell GREAT.
I followed instructions for this product: Faithfully, or to the letter.
Comments: There's no need to overdo it here. A couple sprays of a quality body spray goes a long way. No one should smell you before you step into a room. Rather, they should be glad you're in the room because of how good you smell.
If I was making this product, I would change its: Nothing.
Comments: Packaging is dignified. Not boring, but also, not flashy. It fits nicely in my medicine cabinet (simple cylindrical design—no crazy geometric bottle shape). The price point is pretty spot on, when it comes to quality body sprays. 10/10.
I would recommend this product to a friend: Enthusiastically.
Comments: I've made my friends smell me after I've applied this body spray. That's how much I believe in this product.
I am _________ this product: Running right out to the store to buy.
Comments: This is it for me. This is the Holy Grail (for Beauty Buzz Bag #1, at least). I will absolutely purchase Bálla Body Spray (for men), once mine runs out.
Anything else you would like to add?
Teddy Boy Matte Water-Based Dry Matte Wax by Anchors Aweigh Hair Co., $12/2.3 oz.; $20/4.5 oz.
For more information, visit https://anchorshairco.com/products/teddy-boy-matte-non-greasy-pomade-low-mid-shine-med-hold?variant=...
What I liked most about the product was its: Aroma; Packaging; Texture, or product feel when applied.
Comments: I'm going to be completely candid...I didn't initially like this product. HOWEVER, once I learned how to properly apply it, through trial and error, I was very satisfied with the results. A little dollop of this exquisitely packaged hair goop goes a long way, both in hold and aroma.
My hair has some crazy cowlicks, waves in some places and then curls in others, so I need some solid hold. I'm not a fan of the heavily gelled look (I'm not one to get overzealous of business cards, nor am I an avid Heey Lewis and The News fan - right, Paul?), so this has been perfect for my hair.
Additionally, this product feels great in my hair. Not just in terms of hold, but also to the touch. There is nothing worse than running your hands through crunchy gel hair. It's unsettling and, oftentimes, frightening. There is no crunch factor here. My hands can effortlessly glide through my smooth, thick hair effortlessly. "Doesn't that mess up your hairstyle?" you may ask. Yes, yes it does! That being said, it's an easy fix, made easier by the impeccable hold of this product.
This product exceeded my expectations.
Comments: As I mentioned, this product took some experimenting with for me to unlock its true potential. I had been using American Crew; however, I think the Teddy Boy Matte may be my new go-to.
I followed instructions for this product: I did my own version of the instructions.
Comments: At first, I used too much. My hair was TOO held together.
Then I used too little. It really had no impact (aside from making my hair smell great).
Then I used the perfect amount. Now my hair is perfect.
If I was making this product, I would change its: Nothing.
Comments: They hit the nail on the head with this product.
I would recommend this product to a friend: Highly.
Comments: I'll recommend this product based on my experience, with my hair texture taken into consideration. I have no idea how this product would work for someone with tight curls or completely straight hair. For thicker, naturally wavy hair, this product did the trick.
I am _________ this product: Considering buying.
Comments: I'm currently experimenting with a new hairstyle (gearing up for the whole New Year/New Me mentality). I will have more to say about this product, as it pertains to longer hair in a few short months.
Anything else you'd like to add?
Antarctic Sea Mud Mask with Spearmint Oil by Bluebeards Original, $22/2 oz.
For more information, visit https://bluebeardsoriginal.com/antarctic-sea-mud-mask/
What I liked most about the product was its: Aroma; Texture, or product feel when applied; Consistency, or formulation; Color.
Comments: "No one cared who I was until I put on the mask" - Bane
This is it—this is exactly what I had in mind when applying for the Beauty Buzz team. All I knew about skin care, before joining this team, was that it involves green masks. But boy oh boy, did I underestimate how great a green mask can make your skin feel. Now, I'm sure not all green masks feel this great (i.e. Jim Carrey's "The Mask" doesn't seem too pleasant), so I may have been spoiled with my first experience. What really pleasantly surprised me was the fresh tingling sensation of the spearmint oil. Like sipping a cup of hot cocoa with schnapps inside the warmth of a cabin overlooking an alpine lake - this product provided an amazing cool and crisp, yet comforting and soothing sensation.
This product exceeded my expectations.
Comments: I truly had no idea what a face mask (of the green variety) felt like, so my expectations were pretty low. I'd seen similar masks in commercials, TV shows, and movies, paired with cucumbers over the eyes (I forwent the cucumber route; however, I can only assume it would enhance the Bluebeards Original Antarctic Sea Mud Mask experience).
I followed instructions for this product: Faithfully, or to the letter.
Comments: Applying the mask was a bit different than I had imagined. I should have gotten the hint from the word "mud" in the product name that it would share that consistency; however, I did not realize until application. This green, minty, muddy goodness takes some serious lathering on to ensure that you experience all of it's refreshing glory. That said, you will have a ton of residual product on your fingers. Rather than washing it down the sink after applying, I recommend saving the creases of your nose for last, as that area serves as a great pallet to remove any excess mask from your fingers without wasting any.
If I was making this product, I would change its: Packaging.
Comments: The packaging is pretty weak, in my opinion. The white container simple white container with a black lid makes the product look like some bottom shelf generic product you'd find on a clearance rack at CVS. A product of this caliber deserves more.
I would recommend this product to a friend: Somewhat.
Comments: Whereas I truly enjoyed my Bluebeards Original Antarctic Sea Mud Mask experience, it may not be for everyone. One thing that I have yet to mention is that it hardens on your face and dries into a bit of a chalky consistency. I can see this being a strange sensation for some users and may deter them from using this product. I personally did not mind it, but it definitely surprised me.
I am _________ this product: Considering buying.
Comments: This product is not a medicine cabinet necessity - more of a "treat yo self" product that you may use after a long stressful week at work, a rigorous hiking trip, or a weekend with the in-laws. I have not included it in my weekly routine - instead, I choose to use it when I feel the need to relax.
Anything else you would like to add?
Industrial Strength Hand Healer by Jack Black, $15/3 fl. oz.; $46/16 fl. oz.
For more information, visit https://www.getjackblack.com/Products/Industrial-Strength-Hand-Healer-with-Vitamins-A-and-E__4002O.aspx
What I liked most about the product was its: Aroma; Packaging.
Comments: Let me preface this review: I don't particularly like hand lotion. It tends to make my hands feel greasy and then I have trouble opening the bathroom door - it really just becomes a very embarrassing situation that only I am there to witness. This product was no different; however, the pros may have outweighed the cons... Let's see what's in store for Jack Black Industrial Strength Hand Healer in this review...
This product somewhat met my expectations.
Comments: As I mentioned - not the biggest hand lotion guy, so my expectations were pretty low. Despite my greatest fear of greasy hands being realized, the aroma and relaxing sensation was truly a pleasantly surprised. My nerves were calmed before struggling with the bathroom doorknob. Maximum slippage. I will add that, as a musician, I am prone to rough calluses on my hands, as well as carpal tunnel. This product did soothe both of these issues, which was something that I was not expecting.
I followed instructions for this product: Faithfully, or to the letter.
Comments: Pretty straight forward: pump lotion into hand, rub hands together.
If I was making this product, I would change its: Price point.
Comments: I looked up the price point on this bad boy. Very steep for a hand lotion. If you're looking to buy online, get ready for a $50+ price tag after shipping. Although this product made my hands feel great, healed, and relieved, I am certain there are comparable products out there for a lower price point.
I would recommend this product to a friend: Somewhat.
Comments: If you're someone who likes hand lotion or has constantly chipping and dry cuticles, this might be something worth looking into. Same goes for if you have any hand/wrist pain that could use some light soothing. That said, if you're just a casual hand lotion person, like myself, then you might want to look at a lower price bracket.
I am _________ this product: Not willing to invest in.
Comments: Really, it's the price point. The product is good; however, I'm unwilling to go that deep into my wallet to re-up.
Anything else you would like to add? I'm still stuck in my bathroom. My hands are greasy and I can't turn the doorknob. Please send help.
Tend Skin Solution for Ingrown Hairs, Razor Bumps, Shaving/Waxing by Tend Skin, $15.95/4 fl. oz.; $29.95/8 fl. oz.; $41.95/16 fl. oz.
For more information, visit https://www.tendskin.com/tend-skin-r-liquid-16oz-bottle.html
What I liked most about the product was its: Other.
Comments: Nothing about this product, in terms of packaging, stood out. It's a very simple blue bottle - the kind of thing you'd expect to find in the shave aisle of most stores/pharmacies. The scent has a alcohol smell. When applied, Tend Skin causes a slight tingling, almost stinging, sensation. Some people may find that unappealing; however, I found it to be refreshing.
This product exceeded my expectations.
Comments: This is the kind of product that flies under the radar. I personally suffer from razor burn after a shave. I have pretty splotchy and dark facial hair that requires me to shave with a razor every day or two. For YEARS my neck has suffered the brutality of my razor. No balm or salve could save my tender skin... that is - until I tried Tend Skin.
I experienced immediate results after my first use. The amount of irritating red marks/bumps was SIGNIFICANTLY less than what I'm accustom to. In addition, I normally wait to button the top button on my shirt until at least an hour after a shave, to alleviate any irritation that the collar may cause. With Tend Skin, I was able to button up right away without any irritation of my recently shaved neck.
I followed instructions for this product: Faithfully, or to the letter.
Comments: This product is simple. Shave, dry, apply. I found that shaving with warm water, rinsing with cold water, and applying with a cotton ball gave me ideal results.
If I was making this product, I would change its: Nothing.
Comments: Truth be told, I wouldn't change anything about this product. I could live with it smelling less alcohol-y; however, the smell does not linger or overwhelm (a good thing for both after shave solutions and house guests).
I would recommend this product to a friend: Enthusiastically.
Comments: I would recommend this product only if the individual suffers from razor burn. I don't see any cosmetic purpose for this, outside of treating razor burn.
I am _________ this product: Running right out to the store to buy.
Comments: This product really has helped me significantly. I will absolutely be keeping a bottle of Tend Skin After Shave Solution in my medicine cabinet from here on out.
Anything else you would like to add? Most of the products I review have obvious cosmetic purposes such. Hair styling products, aromatic sprays (to compliment my already naturally pleasant scent), and skin creams are all great; however, there are very few that I couldn't live without after trying. The results I experience after using Tend Skin not only improved the condition of my skin after shaving, but bolstered my confidence. I stopped worrying about unsightly marks on my neck. 10/10, Tend Skin!
