30% off NYX

30% Off NYX

NYX sent out an email letting us all know that they are offering 30% off on all of their lip products for Valentine’s Day.  Enter KISS30 at checkout.  I didn’t see any minimum purchase limits, so if you are wanting to try the new Butter Lipsticks or Butter Balms, as well as the new shades of Butter Glosses, now would be a great time to do so.  I really like NYX lip products.  They offer some of the best lippies at the drugstore price point.  The sale offer expires February 3rd so don’t wait too long.  Happy shopping!

Have You Seen What’s New from WnW?

Continuing with posts that show new displays for Spring 2014, I’m bringing you what I’ve found from Wet n Wild.  I am personally not as impressed with the new additions to the Fergie Center Stage collection as I am with the new ColorIcon palettes, but that makes sense.  Wet n Wild is definitely aiming toward a younger crowd with most of their releases.  There are some cool new products, but the under 35 demographic will have the most luck with them.

Fergie Center Stage Spring 2014

I found a large Fergie Center Stage Spring 2014 display at Walgreens.  I haven’t used too many of the Fergie branded products in the past, but they definitely have a following.  There are some new products alongside some of last year’s releases in this display, so I broke it down for you so that you could get a closer look.

Fergie Center Stage Lip Stain and BB Cream

In this picture you have the new Vicious Varnish High Shine Lip Stains at the top with the new G.L.A.M. Maker BB Cream and one Take On the Day Mattifying Powder on the lower level.  The lip stains come in 10 shades, and claim to give an “irresistible high-shine pout with a blast of color.”  The new 8-in-1 BB Cream boasts to be a product that “hydrates, brightens, primes, conceals, smooths, evens tone, controls oil and protects.”  The Take On the Day Mattifying Powder looks like it may have been shoved onto the display by mistake, but there is a label and product info, so it is supposed to be there.  The Take On the Day Mattifying Powder is described as: “Light reflecting powder that enhances and prolongs makeup.”

Fergie Center Stage On the Edge Eye Pencil and Turn Up the Volume Mascara

For the eyes, new additions to the Fergie Center Stage collection are the On the Edge Eye Pencil and Turn Up the Volume Mascara.  The new On the Edge Longwearing Eye Pencils claim to be “versatile, creamy pencils in a forever lasting formula.”   I’m pretty sure that the Turn Up the Volume Full Blast Mascara is also new for Spring.  It claims to”turn your lashes on full blast with maximum volume and extreme length.”

Fergie Photo Op palettes and Shimmer palette with bonus items

Also part of this collection are some newly packaged Fergie Photo Op shadow palettes with bonus eyeshadow primer and Shimmer palettes with bonus kabuki brush.  I haven’t tried the shimmer palettes, so I don’t know how they are first hand, but I can say that the Photo Op palettes are terrible.  The eye primer isn’t bad, but it’s cheaper to just buy the primer by itself and forget the shadows entirely.  There are also false eyelashes and On the Edge Cream Eyeliner, which are not new for Spring.

Wet n Wild Coloricon Glitter Singles

Some non-Fergie items that are new are the Wet n Wild Coloricon Glitter Singles.  The display was pretty picked over but the new Glitter Singles come in shades Bleached (iridescent), Brass (gold), Spiked (silver),  Binge (purple),  Groupie (pink), Vices (red), and Distortion (blue).  The Glitter singles are cream, and look like they are kind of chunky.  There are also three new shades of shimmery eyeshadow singles in Cheeky (pink), Suede (blue), and Unchained (silver).  This collection definitely has a younger crowd in mind.

MegaRocks Glitter Nail Color collection

Here is a closer look at the shadow singles as well as the new MegaRocks Glitter Nail Color collection.  Wet in Wild is really pushing the glitter this Spring.  I am definitely a bigger fan of glitter on my nails than on my eyes and some of these polishes look pretty, though not necessarily unique.  Wet n Wild usually puts out good polishes with a quality formula, so if you are a fan of glitter polish you may want to check this collection out.

Wet n Wild MegaSlicks Balm Stains

I am actually pretty excited about this display that features the new Wet n Wild MegaSlicks Balm Stains, new Coloricon 8-Pan Eyeshadow Palette in Poster Child, and new Coloricon 5-Pan Eyeshadow Palettes.  Everyone has a chubby pencil lip crayon these days, and the MegaSlicks Balm Stains are Wet n Wild’s version.  I have never been a big fan of WnW lip products, but these MegaSlicks Balm Stains look really promising.  And I am happy to see another Coloricon 8-Pan Eyeshadow Palette in the line up.  If you are a color lover, Poster Child is right up your alley.

Wet n Wild Coloricon 5-Pan Eyeshadow Palettes

Speaking of color, one of the new Coloricon 5-Pan Eyeshadow Palettes is also full of bright colorful shades.  Here is a closer look at the palettes.  All except the brown-toned palette was in stock at my local Walgreens.  I am interested to see how these 5-pan palettes stack up.  Are they going to be the old WnW formula that we all know and love, or are they going to go by the way of the newer releases that have been sub-par?  I don’t know, but I really want to find out.

Those are quite a lot of products.  What do you think of the new Spring releases from Wet n Wild?  Like I said, I am excited about the MegaSlicks Balm Stains and the new Coloricon 8-pan and 5-Pan Eyeshadow Palettes, but that’s about it.  I am personally not too pumped about the additions to the Center Stage collection, but that’s mostly because I already have plenty of products like that and am not really in the market for more.  That’s just me, though.  Are you anxious to try any of these products?  Let me know in the comments below.

Monthly Favorites January 2014

January 2014 Favorites

Today’s post is the first monthly favorites post of 2014.  For those of you who are new to the blog, monthly favorites are those products that particularly stood out to me and ones that I reached for over and over throughout the month.  January’s favorites are more focused on skincare than makeup, but I do have a couple cosmetic items to show as well.  So, let’s get started.

Soap & Glory Hand Food

I’ve been loving Soap & Glory Hand Food for my dry winter skin.  When the weather is dry and cold like this I feel like applying lotion often, and Soap & Glory Hand Food is very nice and the scent is delightful.  What’s great about it is that Hand Food gives me the moisture that I need without feeling greasy.  The lotion dries down pretty quickly.  I hate lotions that linger after I rub them in and make me want to avoid touching anything for a few minutes.  No one’s got time for that.  Hand Food smells amazing and makes my hands soft without taking up too much of my time.

Weleda Skin Food

I’ve been using Weleda Skin Food off and on for about a year, but it has been a real savior for me the last two months.  For some reason my feet decided that they wanted to resurface themselves, so they’ve been extra dry, cracking and peeling.  I don’t know what happened because I didn’t to anything different, but my skin just freaked out in a major way.  Using Weleda Skin Food really helped and healed my skin.  It’s a thicker balm-type of product, so it’s great for nighttime use.  It has a very earthy smell, which could be a turn off for some, but it is a little miracle worker for troubled skin.  Weleda is sold at health food stores like Earth Fare and it’s also sold at Target, as well as online.  If you have super dry areas that need a little extra help, I really recommend Weleda Skin Food.

Nivea Kiss of Milk & Honey

I have a new favorite lip balm in Nivea Kiss of Milk & Honey.  It is creamy without being waxy.  There is no noticeable taste or scent.  It’s a very unassuming lip balm that feels fantastic and leaves my lip hydrated and happy.  I enjoyed the Nivea lip butter in Macadamia kiss, but don’t like balms that come in a tin.  I prefer this type of convenient mess-free balm.  I really like the formula because it’s extremely moisturizing, but also lightweight.  I am definitely going to stock up.

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer

I bought this Too Faced sample kit from Sephora over the Chistmas buying frenzy, and the Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer was one of the included items.  I have heard so much about what an awesome product it is that I decided I needed to see for myself.  Honestly, bronzer isn’t an item that I get very excited about, so I wasn’t sure how much I’d like Chocolate Soleil.  As it turns out, I really like it a lot.  It’s such a great shade for contouring.  The picture above makes it look warmer and lighter than it does in real life (sorry, I was having lighting issues because of the weather).  In reality, it is a medium matte brown that looks great as a contour shade that’s not too orange, but those with lighter skin may want to use caution.  It would be too dark for fair skin, or those with light skin that use a heavy hand.  (If that’s the case, Milk Chocolate Soleil would be a better shade for you than the original.)  And yes, it does smell very convincingly like chocolate.  Yum!

Maybeline Color Tattoo in Pomegranate Punk

I pulled out Maybelline Color Tattoo in Pomegranate Punk this month and have really been enjoying the looks I am creating.  It looks beautiful alone, and also as a color base to use with my Naked 3 palette.  I forget how great these Color Tattoos are, and then I pull one out and get obsessed all over again.  They are especially good for quick and easy looks because you can definitely wear them all by themselves applied with a finger, and they last all day without creasing or fading.  At least they do for me, but I don’t have oily lids to contend with.  Pomegranate Punk is a beautiful shade for brown eyes like mine, and I definitely need to use it more often.

Chocolate Soleil Bronzer on top and Pomegranate Punk on the bottom

Here is a swatch of the makeup items.  Too Faced Chocolate Soleil is on the top, and Pomegranate Punk is on the bottom.  January was a really good month.  2014 has kicked off to a great start and I am looking forward to the months to come, but it has been stressful.  I will be moving across the country later this year and I am realizing just how much is going to be involved in that trek.  I don’t have all of the details (it’s a work thing so there are other factors) and the not knowing is a major stressor in my life.  I am a little “OCD” and find comfort is lists and plans.  Not knowing the when, where, and how is going to cause me issues, so the next few months will be all about a growing experience in learning to let go and trust that things will work out in their own time.  Wish me luck.    On the upside, I have been enjoying the cold winter weather.  I know that many of you are praying for Spring, but I am happy as a clam snuggling up in my sweaters and slippers.  Things are good.  🙂

Maybelline Dream Wonder Powder

Maybelline Dream Wonder Powder

I am very excited to show the the new Maybelline Dream Winder Powder today.  Maybelline discontinued their Dream Matte Powder and added Dream Wonder Powder to their permanent lineup.  I don’t necessarily think that Dream Wonder is a close replacement for those who loved Dream Matte, but I do think that it’s a good addition to the Maybelline line.  For those of you who like pressed powders, Maybelline Dream Wonder Powder is a great new option.

Maybelline Dream Wonder Powder

Maybelline Dream Wonder Powder comes in a flip up compact with a well for the sponge.  Do not use the sponge that comes with the compact.  Take it as a friendly warning.  I don’t know what Maybelline was thinking when they included this horrible item.  It smells so bad.  The sponge smells like oil and rubber and it is a very potent odor.  And what’s worse, is that the smell clings to skin so that you fingers and face will smell as well.  Just chuck the sponge.  You can easily find replacement sponges that don’t smell to use instead, or you can do what I do and apply the powder with a brush.

Maybelline Dream Wonder Powder

The formula of the powder itself is very nice.  Maybelline Dream Wonder Powder is smooth and very finely milled.  According to Maybelline, the “Powder is smooth-whipped with 60% less talc, so there’s no chalky dust to cling to flaws. Our powder glides on smoothly for smooth-buffed perfection.”  It’s supposed to feel like a “powder-less powder” that looks like second skin.  I have to say that I agree.  Maybelline Dream Wonder Powder is extremely lightweight and blends into skin seamlessly to give an enhanced and even look that doesn’t look powdery at all.  Dream Wonder Powder minimizes pores and fine lines, and while it doesn’t give the same soft-focus look that, say, Revlon Nearly Naked does, it gives a smoothed over look that hides imperfections.  With my dry skin, I can’t speak to how well it manages oil, but I can say that it doesn’t cling to dry patches or look powdery, so this is great for those with dry skin or older skin.

There are 16 shades in the Maybelline Dream Wonder Powder line.  There is a wonderful selection of light, medium and tan skin tones.  Those who are very fair and those who have very dark skin may have problems finding the right shade.  This is a problem because Maybelline Dream Wonder Powder does have some coverage of it’s own.  I wouldn’t call it a proper powder foundation, but it is not translucent by any means.  It’s a great powder to top off a tinted moisturizer or BB cream for a light, natural look.  If you have really god skin that just needs a little evening, you could probably get away with just using the powder, but the rest of us will need a little more.  Maybelline Dream Wonder Powder wore well on me and stayed for 6+ hours before needing a touch up.

All in all, I think Maybelline Dream Wonder Powder is a great product and recommend it.  It is priced at around $10, but that will vary by location.  Be sure to keep an eye out for sales in the drugstore, and Ulta almost always has a $3.50 off of $10 coupon available to print on the website.  The powder really does look like second skin and blends in flawlessly.  I’d say that it is a win for Maybelline, though people who loved Maybelline Dream Matte Powder may resent the change.  It is not a true replacement, but rather an innovative addition to the line.

New from NYX Spring 2014

NYX has released a huge number of products in the last month or so.  It’s a little overwhelming, but also pretty cool.  I was able to see several displays as Ulta last weekend and I dutifully took some pictures, but there are even more products out that haven’t landed in my area yet.  I want to tell you about those items as well, so I’ll be including some promotional images that I received in my email along with my pictures.  Let’s get into it because there is a lot to cover.

NYX Spring 2014

In addition to new shades of Matte Lipsticks and Butter Glosses (yay), NYX has released new Butter Lipsticks in 22 shades.  For eyes, they’ve released Color Mascara, Control Freak Eyebrow Gel, Lush Lashes Mascara, and Hot Singles eyeshadow in a staggering selection of 88 shades.  For the face, this selection of products includes the new Blotting Powder.  I was able to find a few of these products at Ulta.

NYX Lush Lashes Mascara

NYX Lush Lashes Mascara collection contains 7 different mascara formulas with 7 equally different brush shapes.  Designed for different purposes, each one has something unique to offer.  “Whether you are looking for full, lengthening, or curled lashes there’s a Lush Lashes Mascara for you.”

NYX Blotting Powder

There are four shades of the new NYX Blotting Powder with testers on the display.  According to NYX “Kissed with the barest hint of pigment, Blotting Powder takes down the shine without settling into fine lines, polishing skin to satin matte perfection.”

NYX Butter Lipstick

As you can see, this display of the new NYX Butter Lipsticks is pretty picked over.  But, thanks to the testers, you can see 12 of the 22 shades even if they were sold out at the time I went. NYX says: “The unique texture seems to melt onto the lips, giving full, yet lightweight coverage with a luxurious satin finish.”  I was not a fan of the NYX Butter Balms (though my sister loves them) but I still have high hopes for the Butter Lipsticks.

NYX Spring 2014

There are a ton of new face products for Spring including NYX BB Cream, Mineral Stick Foundation, Invincible Fullest Coverage Foundation, Angel Veil Skin Perfecting Primer, and Radiant Finishing Powder.  A couple more products for eyes and lips are the new Lip Primer and new Infinite Shadow Sticks.  I spied the displays for the BB Cream, Radiant Finishing Powder, and Infinite Shadow Sticks.

NYX Infinite Shadow Sticks

There are 9 shades of the new Infinite Shadow Sticks, which are supposed to be better than the old NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils.  According to NYX: “Infinitely awesome, this shadow stick glides on easily and stays put. Waterproof and smudgeproof, you can really make this look last and last without creasing, flaking or fading“.  The shades selection is limited to neutral colors, but I assume that if these take off then we can expect wild and bold shades in the future.

NYX BB Cream and Radiant Finishing Powder

NYX BB Cream comes in three shades.  NYX claims that it is “Perfection in a tube. This lightweight miracle worker was developed to hydrate and prime for a complexion that looks perfectly beautiful. The result is skin that appears smoother and more radiant. The luxurious oil-free and mineral enriched formula is versatile delivering multiple benefits all in one.”  The Radiant Finishing Powder comes in two shades, a brightening complexon powder and a sunkissed bronzer.  Here’s what NYX has to say.  “Brighten: Illuminate the skin with an overall brightening effect. This multi-color powder finishes your makeup look and helps skin stay fresh and smooth-looking.”  and “Sunkissed: Add natural radiance to any complexion for a healthy glow with this luminous collection of bronze, rose and gold toned powders. Soft, smooth, lightweight and luxurious, this all-over powder is comfortable to wear anytime anywhere.”

NYX Spring 2014

The final selection of products that I have to show you today are the ones that I am most excited about.  For face, NYX released new shades of Stay Matte But Not Flat Foundation, as well as the new Dark Circle Concealer, and Tinted Moisturizer.  The new Sex Bomb Palette and Adorable Palette look like they are in the same style as last years Smoky and Natural palettes.  The new Dream Catcher Palette Collection includes three beautiful palettes that I do have pictures of.  Finally, there are two new baked products, 12 shades of Baked Blush and 33 new Baked Eyeshadows.

NYX Tinted Moisturizer

NYX Tinted Moisturizer comes in 7 shades.  “Lightweight with just a hint of sheer color, this hydrating formula makes skin feel softer and smoother. The dewy natural glow provides a “no-makeup” look and feel, yet covers imperfections with a natural, hydrating touch” according to NYX.

NYX Dream Catcher Palette Collection

I apologize that this shot is just a touch blurry.  Just like the Butter Lipstick display, the Dream Catcher Palette Collection display was pretty bare.  Luckily the testers are there to show what the shadows look like.  The three palettes from left to right are Golden Horizons, Dusk Til Dawn, and Stormy Skies.  All three are neutral palettes, but each are different enough from the others to be unique.  They are really beautiful in real life and at only $15 quite tempting.

Wow, that felt like a marathon blog post.  There are a ton of new products from NYX, and I feel like I only just scratched the surface.  For more information about all of these products and to see any other new items, go to nyxcosmetics.com.  Also, you can check out ulta.com for their selection of new NYX products.  I don’t know what will be popping up at Target.  I assume the NYX selection will vary by store location.  There are several products that I am excited about and hope to try.  Not that I need any new makeup, but with all of this who can resist.  Am I right?  Tell me what you are excited to try in the comments below.

e.l.f. Essential Loose Eyeshadow Pen

e.l.f. Essential Loose Eyeshadow

Continuing my exploration of some of the new e.l.f. products for Spring 2014, I have the e.l.f. Essential Loose Eyeshadow to show you.  Here is what e.l.f. has to say: “This silky fine powder eyeshadow creates an intense wash of color that is effortlessly beautiful. The portable, no-mess sponge applicator provides the perfect amount of powder with every use. Simply dip the sponge into the loose pigmented eyeshadow, apply to the eyelid and blend for gorgeous eye looks.”  Since they are part of the Essential line, they are listed as only $2.00 each.  They look like a fun and creative product, so I wanted to give them a try.

e.l.f. Essential Loose Eyeshadow

First of all, the name “Loose Eyeshadow” is a bit misleading.  The shadows are actually packed pretty tightly into the cap of each pen.  You unscrew the cap (where the shadow is) and reveal a sponge tip that dips into the shadow.  There is no loose shadow at all, not even on the sponge tip.  There is no need to tap off at all.  The pens are about the size of a thick pencil eyeliner.

e.l.f. Essential Loose Eyeshadow

The directions that e.l.f. supplies for the Essential Loose Eyeshadows are simply “Dip the sponge into the eyeshadow and apply to the eyelid and blend as desired.”  Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.  First of all, there is hardly any product in the cap, so it’s really difficult to get more shadow when you need it.  It’s only half a gram of shadow, which is skimping even by e.l.f. standards.

e.l.f. Essential Loose Eyeshadow

The other issue is that the tiny well of shadow is set pretty deeply in the cap, making it pretty difficult to coat the sponge.  You have to screw the cap all the way back on to get the sponge far enough in to get more shadow.  In the picture above, it looks like the shadow starts a little way past the threads, but the shadow is concave, so the sides are higher than the middle.  The center of the well where the sponge tip dips in, is further back.  It’s impractical.  Here is a top down shot of the cap.  It’s hard to see, but I was trying to show you how deep down the product actually starts.

e.l.f. Essential Loose Eyeshadow

The other main issue that I have with the Essential Loose Eyeshadow Pens is that the sponge is very small and pretty stiff, which makes it terrible for applying shadow over the lid.  It is pretty uncomfortable to use the sponge on the lid, and I felt like I was being too harsh with such a delicate area.  I really didn’t like the way it felt at all.  And it took FOREVER to get shadow all over the lid.  What should be a tool for quick on-the-go application, actually takes three or four times as long to apply a simple one shadow look.  The packaging it utterly useless.

e.l.f. Essential Loose Eyeshadow

The formula itself isn’t too bad.  The shadows are nothing to write home about, but some of them have decent pigmentation.  As with most e.l.f. Essential products, it’s hit and miss within the line.  Another problem is that the sponge leaves streaks, but that’s not really a problem with the shadows themselves.  The only use I can see for these is as a shadow liner or inner corner highlight, which they are actually not bad for.  The sponge tip is designed pretty well for small precise applications.  The darker shades may make decent liners, but that’s not a good enough use to buy them just for that purpose.

Top to bottom: Blue Icing, Pear, and Pancakes

The three shades that I purchased are Blue Icing, Pear, and Pancakes.  Blue Icing is decently pigmented, and has the longest wear-time of the three.  It also showed the most streaking during application, but would work best as a liner.  Pear, an icy green shade, was the worst of the three, fading easily and blending to nothing during application.  It’s a pretty color, but don’t bother.  Pancakes is actually pretty nice.  It has the best and most even pigmentation, and the formula gave me the smoothest application that had decent wear-time.

e.l.f. Essential Loose Eyeshadow cracked cap

One final complaint is that the packaging is so cheap that it cracks very easily, so be careful when screwing the cap back on.  All in all, the e.l.f. Essential Loose Eyeshadows are terrible.  I got them half off, so I only paid $1 for them and that was still too much.  Though I appreciate that e.l.f. does carry some good quality products for very little money, the e.l.f. Essential Loose Eyeshadow are as cheap and ineffectual as their low price tag would indicate.  Save your money and buy something else.  This one is definitely a miss.

Even More New Products for Spring 2014

I was out and about this weekend and spotted even more new and exciting displays full of products for Spring 2014.  Most of these pics came from Walgreens, but there are a couple from Ulta as well.  I have a lot to cover in this post, so I am going to jump right into it.

Revlon by Marchesa

First up is this really cool display of tools designed by Marchesa.  “We started by looking at all the various beauty tools that Revlon makes. We knew that we wanted to bring an elegant femininity to this collection and ultimately decided that the three designs should be inspired by three dresses from our Spring/Summer 2014 runway show. We think the result is quite romantic with the three intricate lace patterns” says Georgina Chapman and Keren Craig, Marchesa co-founders.  Revlon is “bringing the runway to your fingertips” by offering designer tools such as nail files, tweezers, compacts, etc.  The products are really beautiful.

Jergens BB Body Perfecting Cream

With BB creams for face and hair, is it any wonder that there is one for body now?  Jergens says of the BB Body Perfecting Cream: Jergens BB Body Perfecting Skin Cream delivers flawless-looking skin with 5 visible benefits in just 5 days. This revolutionary body lotion goes on sheer, dries quickly, and works like a moisturizer to visibly improve your skin with every use.  Hydrates, illuminates, evens, firms, and corrects.  BB Body Cream delivers varying benefits depending on your skin tone. It goes on sheer and then adjusts differently to a range of shades.  There are two shades, one for all light skin tones, and one for medium-deep skin tones.

Physicians Formula Nude Wear Nude Glow Makeup Collection

Sorry for the slightly blurry pic, but this is Physicians Formula Nude Wear Nude Glow Makeup Collection.  The display contains boxed Nude Wear powder, blush, and bronzer, as well as the Physicians Formula Nude Wear Touch of Glow liquid highlighter and touch up pen.  The packaging is so freakin’ adorable I want to buy everything.  I won’t, but it’s so cute.

Maybelline Master Glaze and Master Hi-Light

Some fun new cheek products from Maybelline are the Master Glaze Blush Sticks and the Master Hi-Light Mosaic Highlighting Blushes.  The Master Glaze Blush Sticks described by Ulta as: “Face Studio Master Glaze Glisten Blush Stick makes cheeks go dewy and gently glazed with sheer blush color. Liquid shimmer pearls plus shea butter glide provide blendable blush color and smooth, even application.”   The reviews say that these are extremely pigmented and long-lasting.  As far as the Master Hi-Light Mosaic Highlighting Blushes: “Light diffusing Face Studio Master Hi-Light blush and bronzer formulas have an expert balance of shade and shimmer illuminator for natural glow. Skin goes soft lit with zero glitz.”  They are really beautiful and very tempting.

Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser

Also from Maybelline is the new Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser.  The transparent gel formula smooths skin and blurs pores for a refined appearance without clogging pores.  Baby Skin is free of Cyclopentasiloxane so it’s not going to be an exact dupe for primers like Smashbox Photo Finish, but it is probably very similar.  This primer has been very popular in other countries, and many people are thrilled that it has finally landed in the US.

CoverGirl Bombshell Volume Mascara and Bombshell Intensity Liner

CoverGirl released a ton of products for Spring 2014, and here is a small display of a couple more.  This is the Bombshell Volume Mascara and Bombshell Intensity Liner.  The dual ended mascara claims to make lashes ten times more noticeable.  I’m a big fan of lashblast, so this one may be worth a try, but it is gigantic, so it may be difficult to wield.  The Bombshell liner claims to give 24 hours of “sexy, liquid intensity”.  (what does that even mean?)  It looks like it is a marker pen style of liquid liner from what I can tell.

CoverGirl TrueBlend Foundation

Also from CoverGirl is the new TrueBlend Foundation shade match system.  (This display also features the FixSticks and True Match products that I showed you earlier this month.)  CG True Blend got a major overhaul.  Many, many moons ago (pre-2008) I used TrueBlend, but when they changed the formula I hated it and never used CG foundations again until this past year when CG Outlast Stay Fabulous came out.  Now they changed TrueBlend again and I am interested.  I’m not 100% sure that CG upgraded the formula, but I think that they have, and they certainly changed everything else.  There are 21 shades to choose from in a wide variety of light and dark shades.  CG breaks the shades down into light, medium and dark ranges, with 7 shades per range.  There is a good chance that you could find a match with so many choices.  After so much success with CG Outlast Stay Fabulous, I definitely want to give the new TrueBlend a try.

L’Oreal True Match Mineral Powder

I spotted L’Oreal True Match Mineral Powder at Ulta.  L’Oreal True Match Mineral offers 16 hours of oil-free, shine-free wear time.  To be honest, I can’t really see how this product differs from the original True Match Powder, which is already really good.  If anyone can offer any insight on this product let us all know in the comments below.

L’Oreal Extraordinaire Lip Color

L’Oreal Extraordinaire Lip Colors are new hybrid liquid lipsticks in a variety of 16 shades.  They are similar to the Shine stains that L’Oeal released last year, but a little thicker or more opaque and without the staining effect.  This is L’Oreal’s answer to the Maybelline Elixers (which is what I thought was Maybeline’s answer to L’Oreal’s Shine Stains).  At any rate, if you are a liquid lipstick lover, then this is your heyday.

Wow, that was a lot of products to go over.  There are so many new products out that it’s tough to keep up, so be sure to keep your eyes open when in the drugstore because I am sure that there are even more displays that I haven’t seen yet.  Stay tuned because I am also going to show you the many new displays that I found of NYX products.  That’s right, NYX has so many new releases that I need an entire post of just NYX to show it all to you.  I’ll be getting that one up as soon as I can.  In the meantime, happy shopping!

Ipsy Bag January 2014

Ipsy Jan 2014

I  got that bright pink envelope in the mail, which can only mean that it’s Ipsy time again.  If you are new to this blog, Ipsy (formerly My Glam) is a ten dollar subscription service where you receive a cute little makeup bag full of 4-5 deluxe samples and often full-sized products to try out.  They also provide exclusive offers from the brands that were featured for the month.  It’s a really good way to try out new products and brands that you might not otherwise be able to.  January’s bag was full of products to start the new year off with a healthy glow.  So, let’s see what I got.

Proactiv+ Mark Fading Pads

Proactiv+ Mark Fading Pads:  “The Proactiv+ Mark Fading Pads are a convenient, single-use, no-rinse peel pad that can instantly boost your skin’s glow and radiance. The pads help remove dead skin cells to unclog pores and remove dull layers to reveal newer, smoother, more even toned skin. With just a few quick swipes you can help fade away post acne dark marks, reduce the appearance of fine lines and enlarged pores.”  The Mark Fading Pads are part of the Proactiv+ Complete Kit along with 4 other products.  They are not sold individually and I have no idea how to calculate the value of these 4 pads, so I’ll estimate them at $0.50 each for a total of $2.

Nourish Organic’s Lightweight Moisturizing Face Lotion

Nourish Organic’s Lightweight Moisturizing Face Lotion: “This lotion provides continuous moisture throughout the day while replenishing essential skin nutrients. The advanced, non-greasy formula is also rich in vitamins and antioxidants to boost skin’s defenses and leave skin healthier and younger-looking every day. Moroccan Argan Oil intensely hydrates and replenishes skin.  Rosewater evens out skin tone and smoothes texture.  Shea Butter locks in moisture and improves skin’s elasticity.  100% Natural. USDA-Certified Organic. Fragrance-Free. Alcohol-Free. Ultra gentle for sensitive skin.”  Full size of 1.7 oz retails for $31.99 at nourishorganic.com.  Sample size is .05 oz, worth $6.47

Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask

Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask:  “Repair and treat dry, damaged and breaking hair with Don’t Despair, Repair! deep conditioning mask. Fortified with ultra-hydrating avocado, sweet almond & argan oils, strengthening keratin protein, power-conditioning rosehip oil, soothing aloe, and super hair-essential vitamins B5, D, A, E and biotin. This unique complex of targeted ingredients helps increase hair elasticity and moisture to prevent breakage, promotes healthy shine and luster, and replenishes strength.”  Full size is $26 for 5.25 oz at briogeohair.com.  Sample size is 1 oz, worth $4.95.

Elizabeth Mott Smooth Shadow in Pearl

Elizabeth Mott Smooth Shadow in Pearl:  “The ultimate gel pencil that’s smooth like butter and packed with deliciously creamy colors. These velvety pencils glide on with ease, and contain just enough shimmer. They’re also waterproof and perfect to wear all day and night, a must have for all color lovers!”  Full size is 1.5 g for $14.99 at elizabethmott.com. Sample is .7 g, worth $7.00.

MicaBeauty Tinted Lip Balm in Fiesta

MicaBeauty Tinted Lip Balm in Fiesta:  “MicaBeauty’s 24 hour Tinted Lip Balm conditions your lips without smudge while delivering sophisticated finish. For a sheer wash of color, one swipe is all you need. For a bolder pout, simply apply another swipe and this lip balm will create lips every woman covets. Kiss-proof and smudge-proof!”  Full size is 4g for $30 at micabeauty.com.  Sample is 2.5 g, worth $18.75.

Ipsy Jan 2014

The grand total worth of my January Ipsy bag is around $39.17, depending on how much the Proactiv pads are worth, plus the value of the bag itself (which, frankly, wasn’t that great this month).  Well over my $10 subscription fee as always.  I am pleased with my bag this month.  While nothing made me squeal with delight, I am very happy with almost all of the products that I got.  I was really impressed with the staying power of the two color cosmetics, and will definitely use both the Elizabeth Mott shadow pencil and the Mica Beauty lip balm (which is more of a stain than a balm).  I am excited about the Nourish Organic face lotion and am willing to try the Proactiv pads because my skin does well with salicylic acid.  The only product I will probably not use it the Briogeo hair mask.  I don’t know, maybe I’ll give it a try anyway, but I don’t like getting hair products in my bags.  I’d rather have pretty much anything else.  Other than that, though, my bag was good and I am happy.  Can’t wait until next month.

 

 

e.l.f. Studio 22 Piece Mini On The Go Palette

e.l.f. Studio 22 Piece Mini On The Go Palette

Today I am bringing you the e.l.f. Studio 22 Piece Mini On The Go Palette for review.  I was really interested in the e.l.f. Studio 22 Piece Mini On The Go Palette because it looked like it could be an inexpensive alternative to the Urban Decay Face Cases.  You can see my review of the Shattered Face Case here.  Obviously Urban is much better than e.l.f. in quality, but the design of a compact, travel friendly case that contains everything you need is definitely similar.  E.l.f. says of their Studio 22 Piece Mini On The Go palette: “Don’t let its small size fool you, this micro-mini palette that packs a HUGE punch, fitting a 22 piece makeup collection right in the palm of your hand! Smaller than your smartphone, enjoy everything you need to beautify your eyes, lips, and face all in a convenient, sleek palette that’s perfect for the girl on the go. Fits easily in any purse or makeup bag, even your pocket!”  Let’s see how it stacks up.

e.l.f. Studio 22 Piece Mini On The Go Palette

For me, the main selling point of the e.l.f. Studio 22 Piece Mini On The Go Palette was packaging.  As soon as I saw it, I thought of the UD Face Case.  I’m sure that was by design since e.l.f. often knocks off higher end products.  (I have no problem with this practice and fully support it.)  So I’m going to talk a bit about packaging and functionality.  The Mini On The Go Palette is really small, much smaller than the UD Face Cases.  It’s about the size of a credit card, but an inch tall.  There are three levels to the palette.  The top level contains ten eyeshadows and a sponge applicator.  The second layer reveals five lip colors and a small lip brush.  The lower layer contains three blushes, a very small blush brush, and a mini mascara.  There is also a full-size mirror attached to the lid, but unlike UD Face Cases where there are mirrors for each layer, e.l.f.’s version can only be accessed when the eyeshadow layer is opened.  Unfortunately, that makes applying the lip and cheek products a little more difficult when actually on the go and having to rely on just this mirror.

e.l.f. Studio 22 Piece Mini On The Go Palette

I really like the compact design of palettes like this, except that I think e.l.f. tried to jam too many products inside.  There just isn’t enough real estate for 10 shadows, 5 lippies, and 3 blushes, plus tools and a mascara.  Although I think the pan size for the lip products is actually pretty decent, the dime size eyeshadow pans are even smaller than e.l.f.’s usual fare and the blushes are simply ridiculous.  I don’t think that I’ve ever seen blush pans so small and impractical.  What’s even worse is that the pans are set pretty deeply making it almost impossible to get a decent blush brush in there.  The included brushes are cheap and tiny.  I would have preferred a full top layer of three blushes that could actually be used, followed by a lower layer of shadow with fewer pans to accommodate the mascara compartment.  The lip layer alone works in the palette and is functionally designed.

e.l.f. Studio 22 Piece Mini On The Go Palette

As far as quality, e.l.f. is usually hit and miss, and that’s still true for the  Mini On The Go Palette.  The eyeshadows are chalky and not very pigmented.  there are a few good shades, (specifically the browns, gold, and green) but most of the shadows are lacking.  It’s strange because it seemed like e.l.f.’s formula was improving over the last year or so, and their palettes were getting better.  The Mini On The Go Palette, however, is well below the standard that e.l.f has set.  The lip colors are decently pigmented, but waxy and smelly.  They have a horrible plastic smell that is very unpleasant.  They are a not too drying, nor are they particularly moisturizing.  The shade range is surprising, but the color doesn’t really last very long.  The lip colors aren’t terrible, but they aren’t my cup of tea.  The three blushes are fantastic.  They are pigmented and smooth.  It’s so unfortunate that it is so hard to actually use them because the blushes could have been where this palette really shines.  Unfortunately e.l.f handicapped their best feature by making it almost impossible to get to these great blushes.  Here are some swatches.

e.l.f. Studio 22 Piece Mini On The Go Palette eyeshadow

e.l.f. Studio 22 Piece Mini On The Go Palette lip colors

e.l.f. Studio 22 Piece Mini On The Go Palette blush

As much as I appreciate e.l.f. trying to give us less expensive alternatives to innovative higher end products, the e.l.f. Studio 22 Piece Mini On The Go Palette really missed the mark.  Poor design and poorly formulated products make this a miss for me.  To be fair, I did not try the mascara, so it may be fabulous, but I am generally not a fan of e.l.f. mascaras, so I skipped it.  I think the e.l.f. Studio 22 Piece Mini On The Go Palette could have been great if e.l.f. had taken more time and put in more effort.  Unfortunately they just didn’t, and the result is a mediocre product at best.  Right now, the e.l.f. Studio 22 Piece Mini On The Go Palette is priced at $10 for 0.66oz/18.65g of product.

Have you tried the e.l.f. Studio 22 Piece Mini On The Go Palette?  What were your thoughts?  Let me know in the comments below.

E.l.f. Studio Moisturizing Lipsticks Review and Swatches

e.l.f. Studio Moisturizing Lipstick

I took advantage of one of the many e.l.f. sales around the Holidays and picked up quite a few of the e.l.f. Studio Moisturizing Lipsticks, which I have for review today.  E.l.f. says: “The velvety, satin texture glides on lips with vibrant color and luminous shine. Enriched with Shea and Vitamins A, C, & E to nourish and hydrate the lips. The rich, creamy formula seals in moisture for long-lasting wear and comfort.”  To be honest, I am of two minds about these lipsticks.  On one hand they are awesome, and on the other they are very frustrating.  Keep reading to see what I mean.

e.l.f. Studio Moisturizing Lipstick

Let’s start with packaging.  The e.l.f. Studio Moisturizing Lipsticks come in squared-off tin or aluminum tubes that are actually really sleek and nice.  There is a colored band to indicate the shade and a sticker on the bottom with the shade name.  They are the same size as a Revlon Lip Butter, but a little taller.  The pointed bullets are a traditional shape and size for easy and precise application.  I personally prefer the pointed bullet shape, as opposed to rounded shape (like Lip Butters or Color Whispers) because I have an easier time maneuvering the angles of my top lip.  I really like the packaging, and think the Studio Lipsticks look great.

e.l.f. Studio Moisturizing Lipstick

As for formula, the e.l.f. Studio Moisturizing Lipsticks are creamy and glide on smoothly without tugging.  They feel fantastic on the lips and though they do dry down a little after application, they don’t tighten or feel dry on the lips.  They stay pretty moisturizing for several hours for a very comfortable wear.  I sometimes forget that I am wearing lipstick, because they feel more like a thick lip balm.  They aren’t exactly lightweight, but I wouldn’t call them heavy either.  You will definitely feel like you are wearing something, but they don’t smother your lips like heavy lipsticks sometimes can.  I do not feel like the e.l.f. Studio Moisturizing Lipstick migrates, settles into lines, or accentuates dry lips.  However, the bolder shades (like red) may feather a bit if you have a lot of fine lines around the mouth.  That’s pretty typical for a lipstick though, so I’m not taking any points away for that.

e.l.f. Studio Moisturizing Lipstick

Pigmentation is fantastic.  E.l.f. is a vegan line, and vegan lip colors can tend to suffer in the pigmentation department, but the e.l.f. Studio Moisturizing Lipstick knocks it out of the park.  I have six of the ten shades in the line, ranging from more nude to bold red and they all apply opaque and vibrant.  The shades swatches above are, from left to right: Cheeky Coral Cutie, Rosy-Go-Round, Ravishing Rose, Velvet Rope, and (on the bottom) Red carpet.

• Cheeky is a dark nude with pink undertones and some shimmer.
• Coral Cutie is a bright orange-toned coral stain finish.
• Rosy-Go-Round is a bright raspberry with a semi-gloss to satin finish.
• Ravishing Rose is a deep mauve with some brown tones.  It has a satin finish.
• Velvet Rope is a bright warm-toned orange based red with a semi-glossy finish.
• Red Carpet is a classic Starlet true-red with a stain finish.

I would be 100% in love with these lipsticks if it weren’t for one rather large problem.  The color fades out on me in about an hour.  *sigh*  The really weird part is that the moisturizing feel lasts for two to three hours, but by then the color is long gone.  I’m not sure what it is about my body chemistry, but it does not agree with the e.l.f. Studio Moisturizing Lipsticks.  I’ve read other reviews that say that they last, but not for me.  When the color fades, it does fade evenly, which is a plus.  No ring around the lips issues.  They do not leave any noticeable stain.  It’s really frustrating that I can’t get more longevity out of these, because otherwise the e.l.f. Studio Moisturizing Lipstick would be fantastic.  They feel great, the colors are beautiful and they are only $3 (though you can often find them for $1.50 like I did).  I would still recommend trying them out to see if they last longer on you than they did on me.  It could be that the problem is my chemistry and not the e.l.f. Studio Moisturizing Lipsticks themselves.

Have you tried the e.l.f. Studio Moisturizing Lipsticks yet?  I’d love to know your experience with them and if you have the same longevity issues that I do.  Let me know in the comments below.