Product Junkie: 2013

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Sally Hansen Airbrush legs, Leg makeup spray vs. Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs lotion

Ewwww ewwww eeww! Pantyhose the thought of them makes me cringe! Especially walking on a rug in them! Ugh shsundhagsjsoekxksv <that's how my brain feels when they're on my feet! Aside from that they just don't look natural. It looks like you're wearing something to cover your legs. They're not a very good disguise at all. Thanks to the magical little scientists at Sally Hansen pantyhose are a thing of the past. Talk about women's lib! Burn your panty hose and leave em for ballerinas and old ladies. You will never. Wear. Them. AGAIN....period!

Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs (spray) in an aerosol can has been around for a few years now. It's a must have and on my 10 items I cannot live without, list. It's like an American Express card for my legs, If It wearing a dress or anything that involves my legs showimg, I never leave home without it! Well just recently I discovered that they came out with a lotion version and since I love the spray can so much I knew I absolutely had to try it. So I am writing this for all you lovely leggy ladies, (wow alliteration! My high school creative writing teacher would be proud) who want their legs to look like the girls legs in the nair commercial ! I will compare both products and give you the pros and cons of each.....

Shall we?

The shade that works best for me is "Light glow" (spray version) and "Glow" in the lotion one. I tried the medium version but I looked like I was wearing someone else's legs with my body. It was much too orange and looked like I got in a fight with an Ompa Lompa and the Ompa Lompa won. Anyway the spray version is amazing. I usually put it on after I shower and apply my AmLactin Lotion on my legs. I suffer from Keritosis Pilaris which small tiny bumps which make your skin look like you have goose bumps all the time and they feel like sandpaper. I hate it! It's unsightly and embarrassing. AmLactin is the only thing that keeps it at bay. Anyway any lotion will work. I find it soaks in better and goes on smoother after you apply lotion and let it soak in for a few minutes. If the weather is nice I wear an old crappy pair of shorts and go outside to spray it. If its not I would set up some towels or an old sheet and do it in a room away from any important furniture or fabrics. It does wash off most surfaces but its a pain in the ass and virtually impossible to avoid overspray. I tried doing it in the shower once but it got all over everything and I really had to scrub it to get it off. It doesnt just rinse away.

After I'm all set up I will spray a little area and then rub it in with my hands. It blends really nicely and dries pretty quickly. It has a sort of strange smell but it doesn't stick around too long after its applied. My one complaint is that I wish they'd make the sprayer have a finer mist more like an airbrush. It tends to spray unevenly a bit and that's why I feel the need to rub it in. It's pretty buildable too. The can version has a fine shimmer in it that's mostly noticeable outdoors if your looking closely. It give the legs a nice healthy glow but doesn't make them look too sparkly or anything. After I feel I've covered all areas and it looks even I usually give it time to dry while I do my hair and makeup and then get dressed. If you get dressed too soon it will transfer on to your clothing and its not the type of thing that will come off easily with a damp cloth. Once it does dry however, it really doesn't transfer. Mostly the sparkles do and a small amount of the color so just be careful not to let any parts of the outside of your garment to hit it. Easy enough right? It's water resistant for the most part too. I've used it on some hot days and it stayed on nicely. I also went in the pool with it on once and the next day when I showered there was still a decent amount coming off and I didn't notice any weird splotches where it was missing. I was pretty impressed. This stuff does not come off easily either. I have slept with sweatpants and you'd think the friction would wear it away but it doesn't. You'll forget its there until you hop in the shower and shave your legs and see orange foam running off and you'll think there's something wrong with your water. Even after that you'll still have a little scrubbing to do to get it off. As far as coverage goes it depends on how much you use and what exactly your covering. It will make bruises and scratches much less noticeable but not completely gone. It will even out any discoloration though. As far as varicose veins go since I really don't have a lot I've noticed it will really cover small ones.
The only complaints I really have about the spray version is that its pretty pricey, running anywhere from $11-$14 and you will only get 3 or so uses out of it. For that amount of money I'd like to get a few more uses out of each can. Either way Sally Hansen does put out coupons for it so keep an eye out and try to buy it then.

Now for the Lotion...

I believe the lotion version is fairly new. It wasn't easy to find. My local Walmart didn't carry it and neither did my Bed Bath and Beyond. I ended up buying it at Ulta and I saw it in Target. So like I said I got the medium version first and it was much too dark and orange for me. I suppose if my legs were more tan it would have been better but I haven't done too much tanning this summer so I exchanged it for the Light version. Anyway applying the lotion is much easier and convenient. I didn't have to go outside or set up a drop cloth so that was nice. I still used a lotion before hand even though it is a lotion itself. As with the spray though I found it spread out and blended well. Coverage wise I feel like the lotion is a bit heavier and a little amount goes a long way. It was harder in a way because the spray gets those hard to reach places better. The lotion version also doesn't dry nearly as fast so you have more time to work with it and really blend it in. It is buildable though too.
The one thing that upset me was that it this version doesn't have any shimmer in it! I personally like the shimmer. It's not the end of the world though you can always add your own powder pigments. I also feel like since this one doesn't dry as quickly it does transfer more easily. 20 minutes or so after I had applied it I had to use the rest room and when I pulled down my shorts I got it all over them! Yey. Also the lotion version isn't as water resistant. One day when I was wearing it I had been sitting on a sheet on the lawn with my son. The lawn was a tad bit damp that afternoon and so the sheet I was on got damp. When I stood up I had noticed that the sheet had an orange imprint of my legs! Wow embarrassing! Also in the spots is was wet it had come off leaving my legs looking blotchy. I didn't have the bottle with my so I had to just roll with it and hope no one would notice. That definitely disappointed me. Even with that happening what was left on my legs did last for quite a while. I just wouldn't recommend wearing this one anywhere that its a possibility your legs may get wet.
With all that said though it too has its own advantages. Firstly is I feel its a better value. It's around the same price as the spray version (possibly a dollar cheaper) but I feel a bottle will last a hell of a lot longer. With two uses I barely made a dent. Also I like the fact that its easier and more convenient to apply. No crazy setup needed.

So all in all I really do like both of these products. They both perform pretty much the same way and give off the same results. They both last long and make your legs look virtually flawless. Personally I like the spray version just a tad but better. I feel it soaks in better, doesn't transfer as much and I am a sucka for shimmer but they both have their advantages and disadvantages either way I'd recommend you try one.....like today!

Some quick bullets....

Spray can Version Pros.....
• Has shimmer (a pro in my opinion)
• Dries quickly
• Blends well
• Covers well
• Doesn't transfer much
• Good water resistance
• Lasts all day....and then some

Cons.....
• only get a small number of usage out of each can
• Pricey
• more messy, less convenient
• hence more time consuming

Lotion Version Pros
• covers well
• Blends well
• Lasts long
• Easy application
• Better value because you get more applications
• a little bit goes a long way

Cons.....
• doesn't dry as quickly
• Transfers more
• Not as water resistant
• doesn't contain shimmer legs look more matte instead of glowy

Here are some before and after shots of my legs
Lucky for you all, I have been apparently scratching the shit out of my legs while I sleep so you can really see how this stuff works! The bruises though, are from my son jumping on my lap!

A few quick updates....

I have some other blog posts in the works right now. I have tons of products I've purchased and are ready for review.

One being the Olay Advanced Cleaning system (I think that's the name) it's the brush that's a ripoff of the Clairasonic brush.

Also I got a post in the works about time saving products for moms on the go! Keeps your bananas peeled!

Have a fanfriggentastic day!

Monday, April 29, 2013

Wanna Be: Beauty Blender knockoff TJ Maxx/Marshall's

So I watch a lot of tutorials on YouTube about makeup and I keep hearing about this Beauty Blender and how unbelievably ahhhhmazing it is. It's a kind of teardrop shaped sponge that is supposedly like the most innovative way to apply foundation. I haven't used sponges in Years so I wasn't really into it at first but the more I kept hearing great things about it, like any other addict I was becoming increasingly curious about it and just had to try it........then I googled it.
Twenty-five dollars for a god damn sponge!!!!! No freakin way! I'm sorry but even I have to draw the line somewhere!

The Real Beauty Blender

Just like with any other trendy and popular products, companies were trying to rip it off left and right! The only thing was that everyone I saw had some other odd shape. I was wondering if the beauty blender company had some type of patent on the tear drop shape because I never saw a knock off with the same shape. Still I figured I had to try it so I saw a knockoff at my local CVS made by Essence of Beauty and I read some reviews online and a lot of people said it was ok so for $5 I figured if I wasn't happy with it I wouldn't be as upset with it if I didn't like it. This one though like most other knock offs wasn't tear shaped and in fact it had a rather odd shape with a sort of flat ball that came in and then a small teardrop shape at the top and it was very pointy. Now you can use the real Beauty Blender wet for dry but most say its better wet. It expands when it's wet to almost double it's size and becomes very soft and bouncy. The CVS version however did expand but was too firm. The shape was awkward and I really just didn't like it! So yup another utensil that just sits around taking up space because I hate throwing things away! Maybe I will find some use for it, like a butt plug for my dog who farts a lot. I don't know.

The Essence of Beauty Butt Plug

I was ready to just accept that I'll never try the real Beauty Blender unless one magically appeared in my mailbox or under the Christmas tree one year.....and then I went to TJ Maxx. They always have knockoffs there, again that are some weird shapes and I always grab them and then put them down somewhere else in the store. Yes that's not right to contribute to the chaos that is T.J. Maxx but I look at it as job security for one of their sales associates. If a-holes like me weren't in there sabotaging their half ass efforts to stay somewhat organized then that poor high school boy who's mom forced him to get a job there so she can use his discount, wouldn't have any other way to keep himself busy for that last five minutes that seem like an hour before he punches out for the day. Anyway this trip however was different! There was an almost exact knockoff! It was a reddish pink like the real one and most importantly it was teardrop shaped just like the real one! It was $5 to boot! I just had to try it! It's made by a brand called Revive Pro Beauty and its called the Beauty Applicator (yes very innovative and catchy name, I know).

The Revive Beauty Version...

I got it home and couldn't wait to use it the next day. I woke up bright and early (no I didn't but it just sounds better than I slept until 12pm) and I got myself all ready to get gussied up so I can make funny faces at my baby and maybe go to Walmart. I soaked up my Beauty Applicator and went to town and......I friggen LOVE this thing! It's sooooo cool! I just can't explain it, but I better because this is after all, a blog explaining how well products work, so I will do my best! Again, it gets bigger when wet. Oh god that sounds weird. It expands when wet...no better. Anyway it's big and its very soft and bouncy. From what I've seen on tutorials you don't so much just want to drag the foundation all over your face but you kind of want to dab it on and spread it all over your face in that way. That's where the bouncyness comes in handy. You can also turn it to the side and kind of roll it on. I like the point at the top because its good for getting into the eye area. It really does leave a flawless type of finish and I actually have been using it instead of my brushes. The one downside is once you use it, it gets stained. The box suggests you cleanit every few days with a mild antibacterial soap. I just use my foaming hand soap from Bath and Body Works. As much as you wash it though you're not going to be able to remove the color of your foundation. At least you know it's bacteria free though.
I really can't say if it works exactly like the real Beauty Blender but I really like it so I feel I don't need to even try the real one. I was actually able to find a review of it online where a girl who actually had the real Beauty Blender compared it. RIGHT HERE . She too seemed to be a big fan of it. So run out to your nearest TJ Maxx NOW because you know the golden rule of Marshall's and TJ "Maxx, buy it now because it won't be there next time!"

I wish I had a link for ya's but I don't for the TJ Maxx ones!

Monday, April 15, 2013

Oldie but Goody Johnson & Johnson No More Tangles

I thought I grew out of knotty hair along with my Reebok Pumps, Dare to Wear & Z. Cavaricci pants! (Yes I'm that old) Nope! My baby fine hair, still behaves as though its a baby.....a very fussy one! I like to wear hats and scarfs, plus I have a 3 month old baby and I spend a good portion of my day wrestling chunk of my hair out of his grubby little mitts. I also back comb.....- lot! This all equals up to matted, snarly, tangled hair and me crying like a five year old every time I need to brush my hair!
Ugh remember those days when your mother had no mercy on you while brushing your hair? Or was it just my mom?
I purchased a "detangling" spray by Pantene from Big Lots a few weeks ago. It smells pretty...that's about it! It doesn't help whatsoever in getting out the big nasty knots in my hair. Totally useless. So tonight while cruising the baby aisle in Target I happened to see a bottle of Johnson & Johnson No More Tangles. I remember my mom using it on me as a kid and it worked wonders and guess what ? It still does! Plus it's scent.....a little slice of childhood!

Just for fun here are some pics of the good ol days!

Reebok pumps (I had this exact pair)

z cavaricci

And what is known to me as "Dare to Wears"

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Future Posts ....things that are in the works!

Like I had mentioned in my previous post, I thought it would be a good idea to let ya's all in on some of the posts I'm in the process of writing and working on. I know you all just live for my blog posts and need to know what's going on every second of every day with it......or not, a girl can dream can't she?
Anyways just like pimpin, bloggin' ain't easy! Obviously I have to use the product I'm talking about and that takes time. As does writing and editing but adding pics and HTML links and formatting takes forever. Giving a heads up to people is cool and always very appreciated. It's like when you're watching a show and you get a sneak peek at next weeks episode. ya know?
Speaking of which, how friggen' annoying it is when you DVR a show and your DVR cuts off right before they show the preview for the next week!!!!? I Haaaaaaate that! Ugh argh uh!

Ok so here are some things I'm in the process of working on....

face Primers.... I put two high end primers to the test to see if they live up to the claims. Also, are they that much better than the drugstore brands. Plus some surprising products that you can use as a makeup primer

Mascaras..... Just a butt load of new mascara's I've tried recently and how well they work.

Makeup Setting Sprays.....one cheaper than dirt drugstore brand vs a very popular high end brand.

HD Foundation.....lets see how the drugstore version stacks up to its high end competition.

Until then....
Over and out.

A message from the editor!

I have a lot of different ideas that are in the works now for this blog. I just thought it would be a good idea to share some of my thoughts and explain how I'm going to go about things here. Basically I am (just as the name of my blog says) a makeup junkie! I am always trying new products all the time. I just can't resist. I am to makeup like Bobby and Whitney were to crack!
I just want to express that I purchase everything I review with my own money. I am not asked or sponsored by any company. If it ever gets to the point where companies send me products to review I will most certainly make a note of it. It is all my OPINION and if you don't agree with it that's ok. Everyone's skin and body's react to products differently and everyone has their own preferences when it comes to what they look for in a product. My word is not the last hoorah. It doesn't mean you shouldn't try something just because someone else didn't like it. I find personally that there will be times people rave about a product and I will go out and buy it and I will think its mediocre at best, and I'm sure it goes the other way around too.
Also I'm not big on reviewing first impressions or thoughts. I really try these products out and put them to the test to see if they stack up to their claims. Say for instance if I'm trying a mascara, I want to wear it a few times before I talk about it. Sometimes a mascara will get better after they've been opened a few times because the formula may be too liquidy and needs to dry up a bit to be good. . If I buy new eyeshadow palettes I like to play around and do a few different looks before telling everyone. Some eyeshadows in the palette may be better than others. If you look at the ingredients some of they may have a different formula thusly performing differently than others. So basically I like to really like to put things on and take my time observing how they perform. I will most likely use a lot of things for a few weeks before I review them, so I can give my most accurate and honest opinion.
So with all that said I also thought it would cool to let people know about future blog posts. At any given time I may have 3 or 4 posts sitting in draft mode in my cue. Like I said I want to take my time and add every important detail that I could, like pictures and swatches this way I will keep everyone in the loop about what else I'm working on. I also would really appreciate feedback from people. If there is anything you think I could improve or even if there's something out there you want to try you can let me know!
That about wraps it up for this post!
Here is a pic of my forever expanding makeup collection! This was taken back around January so there has been many, many new additions since then!

Wow now that I'm looking its gotten waaaaaaaaay bigger since then! Lol!

Friday, April 12, 2013

Lashes to Lashes, dust to dust....

So I've been on a mascara kick lately and recently purchased some new ones to add to my ever growing collection. For years Cover Girl Lash Blast was my go to mascara but I get bored easily and I wanted to branch out and try all these new types of mascaras that have been hitting the market. All this "fiber" crap and "beauty tubes" and such has really gotten my attention. Before this it was mostly brushes that were the big attraction. Remember the vibrating brush? What a croc of shit that was! What good did it do? Or how about the L'oreal Telescopic with the little ball brush? That was a flop too? I had such high hopes for that one when it hit the market!
Needless to say they finally realized along with their gimmicky brushes the formulas needed to improve as well and companies have been dropping all of these new concoctions that promise you the moon and stars! Some even claim to actually make you grow more lashes with continued use.
So here are some of the new mascaras I've been playing around with....just to note they are new to me so that doesn't necessarily mean they are new on the market.

L'oreal Voluminus False Fiber Lashes

I just realized I had accidentally purchased the waterproof version!
I purchased this one quite a while ago. The very first time I opened it and used it I did not like it at all! The formula felt very dry and it seemed like there wasn't enough on the brush. I hate the packaging! Not only is it ugly but it's ginormous! I mean I think I need a separate makeup pouch just to keep it in. It may actually count as one carry on bag for the plane in itself! I don't know why they made it so big and bulky but whatever. I'm not going to ramble on about the packaging but I just thought it was important in this case to let you know how huge this thing is! Anyway like I was saying I was not a big fan of this! It was quite pricey too (like all L'oreal products) especially for a drugstore mascara. Being one who likes to get their money's worth and trying to see the glass as half full I didn't want to completely give up on it. I set it aside and every now and then I'd reach for it and abruptly change me mind! It sat for about a month taking up ridiculous amounts of space until I saw a review or something about it that was actually singing it praises. So I committed myself to giving it a fair chance and surprisingly it actually isn't as bad as I had originally thought! Is it the best mascara out there? No, but it isn't the absolute worst either! It has your basic mascara bristle or spoolie brush but its pretty long and slightly tapered. I was able to get more product on it. I guess the very first time it just didn't have enough, I don't know. It goes on nicely and it is buildable without getting all clumpy or spidery. It comes off very black and stays that way throughout its wear. I don't find it to be dry or flakey but it could remain a bit tacky and since I purchased the waterproof by accident it's a little hard to remove. Because of the fibers, It does a bit more lengthening than it does volumizing, which is quite ironic given the fact it's marketed as a volumizing mascara. It does make the lashes appear a tad bit thicker though but because it doesn't separate them much it doesn't look so voluminous.... I hope that makes sense! My lashes are pretty average overall. They are also pretty straight and without mascara they pretty much have no curl and actually slant downward a little. What I liked about this mascara for my lashes is that it actually helped them retain somewhat of a curl! They actually have some lift to them. If I was rating this on a 5 star system I'd give it a 3 1/2 just because I don't think it lives up to its claims and its not spectacular but it does the job. I'm just not sure if this is something I will always need to have in my collection. I don't think it performs much better than other drugstore fiber mascaras like Maybelline Illegal Lengths (which I like) that are much cheaper.

Here's a pic of the results

L'oreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes

Ugh again I really had high hopes for this one but unfortunately it just didn't live up to my dreams. I figured using a primer works amazingly for my eyeshadow and foundation so it should work great on my eyelashes too. We this isn't exactly the case. Again more bulky packaging by L'oreal. One side is the primer and the other, the mascara. I stupidly threw the packaging away before I tried it thinking its mascara I don't need instructions on how to use it. Well apparently this stuff is a bit ore tricky then you'd think. The first time I used it I applied the primer and let it sit for a while before applying the mascara. That was a bad idea. The mascara or tubes part did not go on well. I tried to do a second coat and it made things even worse! It looked like I had 5 cartoon lashes sticking out of my eyelids. It was a big mess so the next time I tried it I applied the primer and then the mascara right away and that actually seemed to help. The second coat (which you don't necessarily need) went on better too but still made the lashes stick together. It does stay pretty black and there was no flaking. The one thing I noticed that I really didn't like was that even though I curled my lashes the "tubes" made them stick straight and didn't hold the curl that great. Removing it is easy and kind of weird. They suggest you just use warm water and it will slide off your lashes and it does, like black stringy boogers! You cannot build up this mascara too much. If you do your lashes will stick together and start looking cartoonish. It's a good mascara but a little tricky to work with. The results are ok but I just don't see the extra step as making a big difference. One thing I really do like about this stuff is that it doesn't flake, crumble or smear AT ALL! Even when you're removing it. You will not end up with a mess of mascara blackness. I think it's ok but I don't think I will purchase it ever again.

E.L.F 3-1 mascara lengthen, volumize, define>

Ok so I have NEVER had luck with cheap Mascaras. I have tried some made by NYC and they were complete doo-doo. So you can believe I was skeptical when purchasing this one made by E.L.F. It's part of their studio line so it comes in the matte black packaging. This one is kind of cheap feeling though whereas I don't think that of the rest of their stuff. Right off the bat when I unscrewed it the top came unglued so I now have to squeeze it very tight to get the cap off. No big deal. Again it was $3 so I'm not expecting much. Anyway it's one of those silicone brush deals only this one has a little ball at the end. I know that this isn't an original idea they ripped it off from Rimmel who i believe ripped it off from a high end mascara I just cannot think of which one. Brain fart! Anyway I have not had luck with these funky type brushes in the past (L'oreal telescopic) so I wasn't expecting much. I would have expected the product to buildup right under the ball tip but surprisingly it does not! The formula is VERY wet. I'm not a big fan of wet Mascaras because they have a tendency to fling and splatter all over the place. Still except for those few things I am actually very surprised by this mascara. It is very black and doesn't flake or make your lashes stiff & crunchy. It doesn't add tons of volume but it does coat the lashes nicely and somewhat lengthens. I don't know if this is a mascara I will "need" to have at all times but I will definitely keep it in my rotation. I liked what it did for my bottom lashes and I think I will use it exclusively for that. For $3 I think it is a decent mascara that beats out a lot if its more expensive competition. I just hope it dries up a bit with some more use.

As you can see in the pic it got all over my eyes!

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes!>

I got this mascara as a sample with my points from my Sephora VIP card. I usually think they really gyp you with sample Mascaras! They are usually dried out and don't give you a ton of product. I had a bad experience with Too Faced Lash Injection. This on the other hand was not all dried up. As with all Tarte products they are "au naturale" and contain not harmful chemicals. I absolutely love, love, love their blushes but I've never tried their Mascaras. Personally I don't think in most cases it's worth buying high end mascaras. I've never tired any that have wowed me so much and blew away my drugstore Mascaras.....until now! I actually went out and used some Sephora store credit i had I am in love with this stuff! It comes with your basic bristle or spoolie type brush that's densely packed with bristles and kind of tapered. This mascara does everything it claims to do. It adds volume, length and what makes it so special in my book it also separates. I find a lot of volumizing Mascaras make your lashes stick together. This one does not! It gives off a soft, natural look and also leaves your lashes feeling soft and flexible! It holds curl too! Essentially for me this mascara does exactly what I want a mascara to do. At $18 it is a little more pricey than I like to spend but you get a very large tube wrapped in a very nice purple snakeskin looking stuff! I just feel like I haven't found anything comparable in the drugstore so I definitely think this stuff is worth the extra $8 than the drugstore brands.

Rimmel Scandaleyes Show off Mascara>

Holy garbage! I purchased this along with Rimmel Pro Primer for the face (for future review) on a buy one get one 50% off sale at Ulta. Thank god, because if I paid full price for this I would be very upset! Firstly like the E.L.F. 3 in 1 it has a silicone brush with a little ball at the end but in this case the brush sucks! It's probably the biggest reason this mascara completely fails in my book! Unlike the E.L.F brush whose soft bristles are densely packed, this one looks more like one of those midevil torture balls wih huge spikes! The brush is too fat and its hard for me to really get down to the roots which is kind of ironic being that the whole point of it is supposed to help you reach those hard to get areas! The formula itself does nothing for me. It basically just gives you black lashes (at least the parts you can reach) and makes them stick together!it doesn't separate, add volume or length. It's supposed to be a "fibre" mascara but I didn't detect any fibers in it whatsoever. It's a shame because the formula is a good consistency. Not too wet, not too dry but just right but unfortunately it just sucks. It just doesn't do anything it claims to do and certainly doesn't make me want to "show off" my lashes. I most definitely will not be purchasing this ever again. It does give a natural look but that it not what I'm looking for when I buy a mascara named Show off!

Too Faced Lashgasm>
Too Faced Lashgasm

I didn't purchase this. It came free with my Bon Bon Palette. Full size too! I was very excited to try a Too Faced mascara. This like many new Mascaras comes with a silicone brush. It's nice and thin which I like. I feel like the fatter brushes are hard to really get in there. This is a nice mascara but LashGASM I don't know! I wouldn't take it that far! Kind of reminds me of those Herbal Essence commercial where the lady if spazzing out in the shower while washing her hair! This is not going to happen when you use this mascara just like it doesn't happen when you use Herbal Essences! It's not a bad Mascara and I will continue to use the tube I have until its finished but there's just nothing sooooo unbelievably special about it that I'd consider spending $18 on it. I feel it operates much in the same manner as the Covergirl LashExact. It's buildable, and leaves lashes soft and separates them but its not unique or special however I do think it is a good mascara and if you wanted to try it I wouldn't tell you not to!

Maybelline Rocket Volum Express
Maybelline Rocket Volum Express

If ca-ca and poo-poo had a love child they'd package it in a blue tube and call it Rocket Volum Express! Ugh this stuff is just terrible all around. It has a Silicone brush that is just ridiculously fat. It is tapered as well and the little spikey bristles get so small that they're almost non existent on the last 1/4" of the brush! Hello product buildup! I don't get the logic behind these fat brushes. Maybe it would work well for someone like Betty Boop who has enormous eyes and can open them really wide but for me they are just too big and hard to work with. That being said I usually reserve these kinds of mascara's for my bottom lashes but in this case since there's no bristles at the end so I can't. (I apply my bottom mascara holding the brush vertically.
As if the brush wasn't enough to entirely desecrate this product the formula is where it absolutely fails. Volume my ass! More like a quiet whisper or maybe a mute button! Another too wet and flingy formula! Oh but the great part is once it dries your are left with crunchy, brittle feeling lashes that flake all over! It actually reminds me a lot of Rimmels' Sexy Eyes which actually was a good mascara but left your lashes feeling like my bangs in the 80's after a heavy dosing of Rave hairspray! Rocket Volum Express is just garbagy crapola that is sadly sitting in my mascara cup not being used. I should just toss it to make room for something I actually like because the tube is so god dang fat but I will keep it and stare at it for a few more months until I toss it. The color of the packaging is a lovely cobalt blue and that's about all I like this one. Complete dud Maybelline!

Other Maybelline Mascara's that don't suck !

Illegal Lengths

I feel bad bashing Maybelline that much. I'm sorry baby. So I feel like I have to redeem it. I'm Going to group these together because there's quite a few I like from them.
Illegal Lengths is one of them. I didn't have high expectations for this one but I wanted to try one of these fiber mascara's. It has a spoolie type brush and the bristles are somewhat spaced apart. I thought that would be bad but it actually works pretty good. The formula has that "just right consistency" not too wet, not too dry. It's somewhere in between which is why I like it better than the L'oreal fiber mascara mentioned above. This mascara definitely gives you noticeable length.and it also lifts your lashes, making you're eyes appear more open and lively. It's also buildable and adds volume and separates for a more natural look. The one thing I don't like is that I feel like either it dries out quickly or they just don't put enough product in the tube. I repurchase this one quite frequently and I just feel like I use it up much quicker than most other mascara's I own. I really like this one and I hope that they don't discontinue it.

Maybelline Falsies

Maybelline Falsies

The Falsies, is another good mascara. It comes with a spoolie type brush again but this one is different. It has a unique shape. The bristles are long and curved on one side and short on the other. The brush is also bouncy, when you apply it it kind of springs back. Ugh that sounds weird, I don't know how to explain it but whatever it does its cool and seems to help. This one dries a little stiffer but doesn't get all flakey. It definitely lifts, separates and adds volume and a little length. Over all its just a good mascara and definitely one that I repurchase frequently.

.
Maybelline Colossal Lash Volum Express Cat Eye version

It's yellow and has leopard print on the tubes cap......sold! The packaging is adorable but its what's on the inside that counts! This one to me is very similar to the falsies. Another good mascara. This one comes with a curved brush and its a spoolie. Again a very buildable, volumizing mascara. I really like this one. I think the brush works really well because of the curve but also because its thin and you can really get to the roots. This mascara gives you a real natural look and doesn't get clumpy at all. I'm all about natural clean looking lashes. Not a big fan of the spidery Tammy Faye Baker look! There one thing that slightly bothers me about this one and that's, that it for some reason, remains a little bit tacky when it dries but its not a big deal. It's not like your eye sticks together or anything. It just makes removal a little harder but not terrible. All in all I think I favor this one over the falsies just because the Falsies can get a bit clumpy.

So that's it folks! These are the Mascara's I've been rocking lately! What's in your makeup box? Any suggestions?

A few quick tips

Some mascara's are like fine wines and they get better with time. I'm not quite sure why this is. Some of the more wet or liquidy ones may need to dry up a bit before I like the way they work. So if you buy a mascara and you aren't happy with it right off the bat, don't write it off and kick it to the curb just yet. Let it sit around and play with it every now and again and see if it works a little different after you open it a few times. I know this sounds crazy but trust me, it's worth a shot. If you don't like it after a few weeks toss it.

One of the biggest mistakes we make with mascara is that when we go into the tube to get more for our other eye, or a second coat, a lot of us think jamming it in there and pumping it up and down really fast is the way to do so. Eeeeeehhhh wrong! All you are doing is pumping more air into the container and its going to dry your mascara out quicker. To extend the life of it just gently slide the brush back in and twist it around on your way back out. I know it's a hard habit to break because its something you don't even think about, you just do it but trust me it does help. Also wipe the opening off every so often with a damp rag or make remover towelette. It will give you a better seal and not let air get into it.

As far as applying it there are some cool tricks I've learned to help you get the best look out of it. Firstly if you have a hand mirror or table top mirror on a swiveling base turn the mirror horizontal and look down into it while your applying your mascara. You will have a better view of what you're doing and you will be able to really get down to the roots. Also gently wiggling the brush left and right while your coating it on will help separate and fully coat each lash. I also find blinking down onto the brush instead of moving your hand works a lot better and lessens the chance of slipping up and poking your eye out or making an ooopsie! If you do get a little on your eyelid or face, don't wipe it! You will just smear it in and make a huge mess! Instead take a Q-Tip and place the tip on to the spot and gently twist it around. This is probably one of the best tricks I've picked up because it comes right off and doesn't effect the eye makeup underneath.

And lastly make sure you laugh at your mascara face daily! Lol you know, the face you make with your mouth wide open looking like a scared clown! We all do it .

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

Too Faced Boudior Eyes Review

Ugh just what I needed.....another eye makeup palette! I am running out of room to store these things! I had a 20% off coupon from Ulta, one of the two annual ones they send out that counts towards almost anything in the store! Most of their coupons do not count towards the high end makeup. Boudior Eyes is something I have had my eyes on for a while! Interestingly enough this palette contains some repeats from their other palettes. This is part of their spring 2013 line up. Boudoir Eyes comes in a tin box with a magnetic closure. I'm a pretty big fan of tin boxes because they hold up much better than the cardboard ones and are easier to clean. It comes with nine shades like most of their palettes and of course their ever so famous how to guides. I'm glad they started including photographs instead of just illustrations. I don't necessarily use these anyway but they are good for someone who is new to makeup and needs some guidance.

Anywho lets get into the deets here! Like I said this palette contains some repeats from other too faced palettes which I think is good but also a little disappointing to those of us who already own a lot of palettes. They are Lap Dance (Naked Eye kit) Birthday Suit (Naked Eye kit) Satin Sheets (Naked Eye kit which they have as a lid color and here its a highlight) and In the buff (Naked eye kit) It also contains 5 new shades Fuzzy Handcuffs, Voulez-Vous , Garter Belt, Sugar Walls and French Tickler which is very similar to Licorice Latte from the Bon Bons palette.
As always I like that Too Faced always gives a good variety of matte, shimmer (or as they call them Satin) and glittery shades. I'm personally not a huge fan of the glittery shades because of all of the fallout however you can work around that by tapping off your brush. As you can see from the swatches below the colors are all well pigmented. I find In the Buff to be a bit powdery and French Tickler a bit flakey but otherwise these shadows are easy to work with. I think Voulez-Vous is probably my favorite shade in the kit. It's a gorgeous muted purple plum color. I like to pair it up with Sugar walls which is a beautiful taupey pink color.

Here are some swatches:
Top row Day look

Second row Classic Look

Third row Fashion:

Over all I do like this palette but I am sort of disappointed that their are so many repeats from the Naked Eye palette. I would have liked to see some more new colors instead. If you already own the Naked Eye and/or Bon Bons palette then I don't really feel its a necessity to own this palette as well. I feel like you can get the same looks out of either one of these palettes. If I had to choose between the Naked Eye and this one I'd probably go with this one just because I think I personally will get a little more use out off all of these shades than the shades in the naked eye palette but its really a matter of preference .

On a side note as I was squirreling through my drawer looking for my Bon bon palette for comparison when I noticed that I found a pretty good dupe for the Fashion row in this palette and that is the Wet N Wild Color Icon Trio in Silent Treatment see pic below!

Not exact but pretty damn close!

Anyway here's a look I put together with this palette!
If you own it how do you feel about it?

Also wearing....
Too Faced Primed and Poreless
Revlon Color Stay liquid Foundation in Sand Beige
Wet N Wild bronzer in Reserve your Cabana (High light)
E.L.F Blush/Brozer duo (bronzer in Contour)
E.L.F studio Blush in Fushia Fusion
Milani baked Blush in Dolce Pink
Nars Lip Laquer in Chelsea Girls
Harmon Under eye roller with touch of concealer
E.l.f. Cream eyeliner in Black
Rimmel Eyebrow Pencil Dark Brown
Urban Decay Primer Potion
Urban Decay All nighter Setting Spray
E.L.F. HD powder

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

NYX- new spring 2013 Palettes

I have always, always been a big fan of NYX cosmetics. For a drugstore brand (that isn't quite sold in many drugstores) they have always stood out to me. Especially their eyeshadows. Their color array and pigmentation blow away a lot of the competition in the same price point.

I own many singles and many palettes so you can imagine how excited I was to see they had revamped their collection for Spring 2013. Gone are the small circle trios replaced by square trios. The runway collection and carribian collections are gone as well all replaced with romantic cities of Europe like Florence and Paris and beautiful colors selection that NYX is famous for. I'm not a big color person. I mostly find myself rockin' neutrals but I am a sucker for pinks, purples, plums and burgundy and that's what attracted me to the 2 palettes I'm going to tell you about.

For starters the first palette I will discuss is a 5 shadow palette from the Love in Florence collection and its called the Prima Donna. There are 3 large square shadows at the top and two long strips running horizontally across them at the bottom. There is a nice array of colors. You got your Creamy taupe colored highlight, a glittery black in the middle for your outer corner shade and a mid tone shade that a magenta / plum hybrid with very subtle small flecks of pink sparkle. The top horizontal strip is a beautiful shade of burgundy with some subtle iridescent sparkle and a beautiful neutral taupe below that. Just the type bright and unique colors you'd come to expect from NYX. The package is cute with a little bow on the side.

I was back in Ulta the other day when I noticed a second palette with even more gorgeous shades of purples and pinks. What attracted me to this palette was a the beautiful peach tone that has hints of gold glitter. I thought it was a unique shade and complimented the purples in a very fun and unexpected way. This palette is from the Love in Paris collection and there are 9 squared shades in it. On the top left a gorgeous dark purple, then a beautiful bubble gum pink, on the right of the top row is this really pretty lavender shade with flecks of pink and silver glitter. The middle row is a nice shimmery pearl, a beautiful electric purple, and a sort of muted taupe colored purple. The bottom row is where you will find that amazing peach tone, a pinkish taupe and of course a satin shade of black.

All of the shades in both of these palettes are shimmery to some degree. Some are satiny, some a very shimmery and some even have some bigger chunks of glitter.

So, now that I've explained all the colors lets get down to the nitty gritty. When I tried to do a look with the first palette here the Prima Donna Palette I noticed that the midtone shade was not going on with as much intensity as I expected. All of the shimmer seemed to have fallen off the brush leaving me with a very matte, washed out version of the color on my lid. As I added more and more color I noticed that they all seemed to come off more subdued then they appeared. I found it strange and was thinking maybe it was my imagination. I am just so used to NyX colors coming out of the palette with strong pigmentation that really didn't need to be built up so much. These shadows just didn't seem as intense as some of my others in my collection. I felt as if I had to put a lot of work in to get the intensity that used to come so easy from NYX. It bothered me so much that I thought to myself they must've changed the formula or something. I dug through my collection for an older palette so I can see if the ingredients looked different and sure enough they were! In the older palettes the first ingredient on the list is mica and the second is talc. On the new ones it has been switched! The older palettes also contained Mineral oil as the third ingredient the new ones its Magnesium Stearate followed by Dimethicone. In fact all of the ingredients are completely different and I most definitely noticed a huge difference! I am no chemist so I don't know what exactly these ingredients are but I do know NYX has changed their formula and its not for the better in my opinion!

I couldn't believe that a few ingredients switched up would make such a difference in the quality. I watched a review of the new palettes on one of my favorite beauty bloggers , Emily Eddington of Beauty Broadcast hoping she felt the same as me. She is usually spot on with her reviews and I have purchased many of the products she recommends and gives good reviews on. She didn't mention any big difference. I thought to myself maybe it's just that one palette so the next time I was in Ulta I picked up the second Palette from the Love in Paris Collection and to my dismay it was exactly like the first! Not pigmented and harder to work with! Nooooo say it ain't so!

I had to do a little more investigation so I went through my entire NYX collection finding older shades that are as close as possible to the newer shades and started swatching them side by side for comparison. I got as close as possible and to my suprise there was a HUGE DIFFERENCE as you can see in my picture below! I didn't swatch every single shadow only the ones I had a very close dupe for. On the left hand side of the pic are the shadows with the old formulation. They come off so smooth, velvety and pigmented right off the bat, the second seemed very flakey and sheered out.

I have to say I am pretty upset by these findings. NYX has always been my go to brand for fun and affordable shadows that are of good quality. This new formula is disappointing even with a primer. That's not to say that I will completely boycott NYX eyeshadows but I definitely won't be purchasing anymore palettes unless I find the colors to be unique and unmatched by any other brand. I'm also not saying that you absolutely can't work with these shadows. They are buildable and with a little patience and some elbow grease you can still get an intense eye look! It's just going to be more work and more time consuming! Some of them seem better pigmented than others. I find these newer palettes very inconsistent. You can see in my photo that the older formula was way more consistent across the board. All of the colors I swatched were from different palettes and singles I own. If I had to recommend these palettes to people I honestly wouldn't unless you were really interested in the colors. I would however tell them to opt for the single shadows or try to find some of the older palettes online. I don't think they changed out the singles just yet so there may be some hope!

I'd really like to know if anyone else feels this way about the new NYX eyeshadow formula or if its just me!?

Thanks for reading!
Y'all come back now yer hear!

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Non-beauty related review for Baby Trend EX Expidition stroller

I know this isn't beauty related but I felt since I recently became a mom I'd share this with any moms and or future moms or their friends and family out there who may be thinking of purchasing this stroller system. It's the
Baby Trend Expedition travel System
I picked this stroller out after test driving it at Babies R Us and received it as a shower gift and looking back now I wish I would have read reviews and or talked to some people who owned it before hand. The stroller is great, made well and durable however once the carrier is added on it becomes this huge monstrosity that you are not going to want to push around the stores with you which is why I also purchased the Snap & go which they should really name the Strap & go! It doesn't "snap" onto the frame like the name suggests instead these two annoying straps that aren't easy to adjust pull over and strap across the carrier!

As far as the carrier itself goes, prepare for a workout! If you were looking for ways to get that post partum weight off just carry this thing around! I'm not sure if the triangle handle makes it harder or easier to carry but it's just very bulky! All of the release buttons are tricky and you will never get the handle up on the first try! Now as for the car seat base I guess it's nice if you have those hooks in your car to just click it right in. What I absolutely do not like about the carrier is that it sits funny especially for those newborns who cannot keep their heads up. I have tried EVERYTHING but his head flops over constantly! I misplaced my manual (I'm blaming the lack of sleep on that one) and I didn't know the base could be adjusted and at its lowest setting his head wasn't supported AT ALL , finally a friend showed me how to do it and even with the indicator showing its on the right position my newborns head is still not sitting properly! The only way to have it right is to eliminate the base and use the seatbelt straps directly to the carrier (instructions for that are shown on the carrier itself). Even when you have the carrier on a flat surface I feel like it is not reclined enough. Now for the straps, which are probably my absolutlely least favorite part....first off trying to adjust them was a nightmare! only the top adjusts and not the bottom. There is one clip that goes across the chest which is great, it's the two bottom clips that snap into the seatbelt looking clip which are the pain in the a$$! With a fussy baby who's kicking good luck trying to hold them together and snap them into the clip! It takes me a good 5 minutes every time and in mommy world that's like an hour! Other than those few things I think it's a good stroller for a baby once he is a little bigger. I just thought it was important to share these things if you (like me) are a first time mom and are considering purchasing this stroller. I would suggest maybe purchasing a separate head support system for the first month or 2 (you can remove the one that came with it) if you are like me and worry that his head is flailing all over while you are driving!

I have yet to jog with it but I have no doubts it will be fine!

As for the
Snap and Go

Just thought I'd share it with you! If you are looking into purchasing this system I highly suggest getting the Snap and Go! Even thought like I said earlier the name is deceiving and the straps are annoying it is well worth the trouble once you get everything situated. It folds in half and doesn't take up much trunk space and its about half the size of the other stroller. The buttons to fold it again are a little tricky but it's not a big deal once you get the hang of it. The only downsides to the Snap and Go which costs around $70 is that it is only good for the extent of time that your baby fits in the carrier. Once he or she outgrows it, it's basically useless but to me I think it's worth it when your running some errands and you're in and out of the car a lot. Plus it is much easier to maneuver in small spaces like the aisles of Marshall's and around the clothing racks in forever 21! It is universal and can be used with any other Baby Trend carriers.

Hope this was helpful!

Monday, January 28, 2013

Save those broken eyeshadows!

So I had 2 Mac eyeshadows that broke. One was an aqua color that I never really cared much for and the other was one of my favorite summer shades Mythology. I used the packaging to get a free lipstick with the Back to Mac recycling program but I didn't want to completely throw away what was left of the shadow so I threw the broken bits into an extra contact lens container I had lying around.
Having those broken bits really doesn't work when you actually want to use the eyeshadow so here's what you can do to get it back in its pressed shadow form....

Here's what you will need:
An empty container.
( Again I used an empty contact lens case but you can use whatever you like, even the original packaging. )
Some sort of mixing tool
(A toothpick, a BBQ squewer, a wooden cuticle stick, back of a thin brush)
Rubbing Alcohol
An Eyedropper

Step 1:
In the container of your choice use the back of a thin clean brush and break down the shadow until its a powder like consistency.

Step 2:
Pour some of the rubbing alcohol and pour it into the cap and then suck some out with the eyedropper and add a few drops to the broken shadow.

Step 3 ;
Mix the eyeshadow and alcohol around. If there appears to be powdery still then you will want to keep adding drops of alcohol until you get a creamy consistency (kind of like a liquid foundation) Keep in mind the more alcohol you add the longer its going to take to evaporate so be prepared to not be able to use your eyeshadow right away or even for a day. Once you feel it's mixed well you will want to tap it a few times on the table or a counter top just to flatten out the surface. Some people like to use a coin to push it down but I would wait until it dries a little for that.

Step 4:
put it off to the side somewhere (leaving it uncovered) and just let nature take its course! I would let it dry over night just to be safe!

Step 5:
Enjoy your shadow once again in its unbroken, not messy normal form!

Now I found this tutorial online I didn't make it up! I'm just passing info along but one thing I was worried about was losing the pigmentation and intensity of your eyeshadow but rest assured your eyeshadow will perform just as good as it did before it broke!

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Store brands vs the real deal!

Back in the day when I was a snotty little pretentious teenager I used to get embarrassed when a friend would come over and ask for some Tylenol or Advil and I'd pull out a bottle of kmart brand American Fare acetometophine with the plain white bottle and standard and boring arial font on it! "Why mom, why must you make me look ghetto in front of my friends!", I'd ask and my mom would always say, "it's the same exact thing!" That was well before the Internet existed and I could go online to compare the ingredients to the real thing so of course I just thought my mom was being a frugal bitch!
That was until years later when I found myself taking an advertising class in college as part of my graphic design degree and I learned that not only in most cases are the store brand and generic brand the same exact thing but in some cases they are made and distributed by the same exact company! So why do we pay so much for the name brand products? Well exactly for that....the name brand! You are paying for the fancy logo and pretty and colorful package, the TV ads, the web banners, and the little ad you see in between the makeup section and embarrassing stories in Cosmo! We are paying for the advertising that gets us out there to buy the products so they can do what? Advertise it some more so we can buy some more! Yep, kind of an oxymoron!
So now not only do I owe my mom a huge apology for making her feel like a terrible cheap skate but I also am 100% guilty myself of trying to save a few extra cents and maybe even one day embarrass my son in front of his friends when they have a belly ache and I pull out my Big Lots brand, Pink Bismouth instead of Pepto Bismal! I mean think about it..most insurance companies will ONLY cover generic brand prescriptions and no one seems to complain about that!
Now that we know this about these products the question is, is that always the case that the store brand is just as good as the name brand and my answer is it depends! Honestly it is up to you to find out ! I've tried the store brand and name brand of many products and I found that in most cases they are just as good so it really depends on the item you are buying. For instance and this is a weird thing to pick but I don't find the store brand Tampons to be as good as Playtex but that's a matter of preference. I also like Playtex over Tampax so maybe the store brand is competing with the Tampax brand and that's why I don't like them! I've also tried this in the supermarket, the store brand frozen spinach or broccoli to me is just as good as any name brand. I really like Stop and Shops ice cream but wasn't crazy about Archer farms the target brands ice cream. Something's however cannot be replaced, like Hershey's chocolate syrup will always beat the store brand and no one out there seems to be able to recreat the Swiffer or Mr. clean Sponge!
All in all it is up to us to decide what we prefer. In some cases I found things that I thought were just as good if not better than the name brand. Targets Up & Up brand is one that sticks out to me. I recently purchased their shave gel over the Skintimate brand because it was a bit cheaper. I really like it better and think I will continue to purchase it from here on out. Not only do you get more product but I liked the scent better and thought it lathered up thicker and richer than many of the name brands I have used! Also their makeup brushes are good quality and much much cheaper than the Sonia Kashuk ones that go for $10 and up a pop. When it comes to tools and utensils I find that cotton balls, Q-tips, nail polish removers and things of that nature are just as good in the store brand. I also only buy the store brand contact solution. Wal-marts brand Equate makes great beauty cleansing cloths that are a staple in my everyday routine!

So all in all this is just some food for thought next time you are out shopping. If your running low on cash and just want to save a few bucks on your next personal care haul try out one of the store brand items and don't feel cheap and ashamed when you get to the register but instead feel smarter and informed!

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Maybelline Color tattoo

I've been hearing sooooo much hype about these maybelline Color Tattoo creme shadows lately that I had to give in and try one! I had been eyeing up this beautiful redish, burgundy color for quite some time so I gave in and finally purchased it. I'm normally not so big on cream shadows because I just don't know up to use them! Every time I see them in a tutorial they are always used as a base then layered over with powder. Plus any I had used in the past have always wore off and creased within a short amount if time so I just plain ol wasn't a fan......until now!
These are not your typical creme eyeshadows! They go on like a creme but finish like a powder (if that makes any sense) and are super blend able. I applied it with my finger and then blended it with a brush. Then for a little more precision I used the flat brush from my urban decay naked 2 palette and added a little more into the crease to build up some color. Personally I could have left it like that and would have been happy but I decided to have a little more fun. I used the gold shade from my Too Faced Natural eye kit and just dabbed it on the inner corner and inner lid and then on the very outer crease I used the deep purple shade from my Coastal Scents Go Beijing palette. I have to say the staying power on the parts where there is no powder layered over the color tattoo is amazing ! I didn't even use a primer. I'm pretty impressed!
These are great for someone who doesn't like to spend too much time on their makeup in the morning too because they can be work alone. They're easy to apply and are well pigmented so you don't have to do much to get color from them. They can be sheered out or built up for a more dramatic intense look! They are kind of pricey though but I noticed Walmart had them for Less than most other places. I believe it was $6.99 and I've see them upwards of $8 and change elsewhere. You can always wait for your ulta coupon and buy them or go to bed bath and beyond with a 20% off and get two!
All in all I give these color tattoos 2 thumbs up and I think I'm going to purchase some more and play around with different looks! See below for the look I did with them today!

The color I used is called Pomegranate Punk you can find it here:
http://m.drugstore.com/maybelline-eyestudio-color-tattoo-24hr-eyeshadow-pomegranate-punk/qxp394242

For the Coastal Scents Palette you can look here: (they always have great sales! Sign up for their email blasts and you will know when!) http://www.coastalscents.com/makeup/palettes/eye-palettes/beijing.html

For the Too Faced Natural palette check this out!
http://m.sephora.com/natural-eye-neutral-eye-shadow-collection-P241303

Favornudes! A quite extensive, obsessive collection of Nude Lipsticks and glosses!

Nude, naked, bare ummm I'm running out of adjectives .....where's my thesaurus ? Geeez haven't seen one of those in years! Do they even make book versions of them anymore? Probably not. Anyway nude is the beauty worlds buzzword of the year. Ever since urban decay dropped their ever so popular Naked palette every Tom, Dick and Harry have been duping it! But alas naked eyes aren't the only coveted nude out there....ahhhh the ever so sort after nude lip! Aside from red it's not only its polar opposite but one of the hardest colors to find. The Pourage of lip color and I am Goldilocks! On my quest to find the perfect one I've come across many that were too pale, to peachy, too pink, too dark, too nude and not nude enough and what I ended up with is a collection of nearly nude lip sticks, glosses and balms that do the job...but I'm still on my quest to find that perfect one!
As if we needed another reason to hate Kim Kardashian, besides her amazing smokey eyes, perfect contouring and flawless complexion her nude lips are always on point ! I do t think anyone else gets it as perfect as her! I tried some of her colors out and they were a bit too pink for me. Her go to nudes are supposedly Mac Angel topped with Nars Turkish delight. They may work for you but they were a bit too pink for me.
Basically nudes show up differently on everyone since we all have our own unique skin tone and our lips carry different levels of pigment. I figured though I can help since I have a very large collection of nude colors because I am addicted to nudes!

To make it a little easier I broke them down into 4 different categories. The word "nude" is a pretty general term to describe pale or natural looking lips. Each nude has its own unique undertone and that's how I broke it down:

PINK NUDES: pretty self explanatory. These nudes tend to have pink colored undertones and go great with cooler colored eyeshadows like pinks, purples, blues, silvery Greys and charcoals.

PEACHY NUDES: these nudes tend to have orangey, tan or Peach colored undertones and go greeat with warmer eye looks like Bronze, gold and warm browns.

NATURAL NUDES: these nudes are not pale and are closer to the actual shade of natural lips...only a little better

BEIGE NUDES: these are the nudes that border on the line of almost being the same color as your skin with beige or brown undertones and are very neutral.

A FEW TIPS FOR DONNING NUDE LIPS:

To make sure you have the perfect canvas for those nude lips there's a few things to do to get the best application. Since nudes that are a shade or so lighter than your actual lip color can get caught up in cracks and dry flakes its always a good idea to exfoliate those lips. You can achieve this by mixing some sugar with a bit of Vaseline, using a toothbrush or a store bought lip exfoliator. I like E.L.F's lip exfoliator. It works better than any I've tried so far and it's only $3!

Also using a lib balm as a base will ensure an even application. I like EOS balm or Baby Lips by Maybelline.

Also another trick to get a nice colorless base is to get a very, very, very light layer of foundation on your lips. Just what's left over from your brush. Your lipstick will show up in a truer to form color because its not contending with your natural lip pigmentation.

From left to right Maybelline Color Whisper in Lust for Blush, Revlon Lip Butter in Sugar Frosting, NYX lipstick in Summer Love**, Revlon Super Lustrious Lipstick in Sky Line Pink, Maybelline Color Sensational in Born with it, Mac Creme Sheen in Hue, and even thought the swatch doesn't look so pink I promise it is but Bare Minerals Pretty Amazing lipstick/lipgloss hybrid in Free Will **

**= favorites

Peachy Nudes

From Left to Right
Milani new lipsticks in Nude Dream, Too Faced in Nude Beach**( I realize after the fact this one is sort of pink looking and could probably fall in the pink or natural tone category too ), Sephora Rouge Shine no name just a number in 2298D **, Revlon Colorburst in Soft Nude (unfortunately Revlon has discontinued this line and this color but it can still be found some places so I included it), Maybelline Color whisper in Bare to be Bold, Revlon Matte in Nude Attitude (not crazy about this formula but it could be used as a base for a good lipgloss)

Natural Nudes

From Left to Right
Maybelline Color sensational in Warm Me Up, NYX Black Label Lipstick in Heiress, Ulta brand lipsticks no name in #225, NYX lipstick in Perfect, NYX lipstick in Thalia **, Rimmel Kate Moss edition no name #08

Beige Nudes

From Left to Right

Elf Jumbo Lip Gloss Stick in In the Nude, NYX lipstick in Frosted Flakes, Revlon Super Lustrous Pearl in Sparkling Cider, NYX lipstick in Circe**, Revlon Lip butter in Creme Brûlée**

Great Nude Glosses to go on top!

From left to right
This is a nude gloss from H&M( and I forgot to swatch it) the color is Innocent**, essence Stay with Me longlasting lipgloss in Deep Rose, Milani Glitzy Glamour Gloss in Center Stage, NYX Xtreme Lip Cream in Natural, Tarte Vitamin Infused Gloss in abra-cad-apricot ( I have to mention the AMAZING scent of this one) **, Flower Beauty by Drew Barrymore shine on Lipgloss in Baby's Breath, Essence XXXL Shine lipgloss in Nude Candy, Revlon super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Peach Petal

Oops a few a left out when I did the original swatches!

Left to right Nars Lip Laquer in Chelsea Girls **, Wet N Wild lipstick in Fergie Daily **, NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Sweet Heart **

A few more in which I don't have at the moment but still love!
Mac Creme sheen in Creme D'nude, NYX mega shine Lip Gloss in Sugar Pie, Natural and Beige,
Lorac Couture Shine liquid lipstick in Vintage, Lorac Breakthrough Performance Lipstick in Nude Scene, Too Faced La Creme Color drenched Lip Cream in Naked Dolly & Naughty Nude, E.L.F studio lipstick in Natural Nymph

I think this may quite possibly be the most extensive Nude lip post EVER! What's your favornude?

Friday, January 11, 2013

My collection....my addiction...my obsession

Since I'm home with the baby I decided to do some organizing and cleaning (yes I am that bored) and since I'm still healing from my c-section and can't do the heavy duty stuff (my wardrobe) I figured I'd start with the small stuff and go through all of my makeup and get that organized! Here are some random pics of my ever growing collection....