07.20.09
Maybelline Intense XXL Volume & Length Microfiber Mascara
I’ve been using this mascara for awhile now and I’ve really been enjoying it. Most of the time during the summer I like to keep my beauty routine pretty simple – mascara, lip gloss, and blush. Because of that I really like how this mascara makes my eyes look bigger – without a lot of effort.
This is a two step mascara – the base coat is white and lengthens your lashes (the website says up to 40%), while the black top coat provides the volume (up to 6x according to the site). I found that it did add length and volume, and made my lashes look great.
One of the things that I really like about it is that it doesn’t clump when you put it on. I’ve tried other two step mascaras and it’s just a mess when you try to apply the second step, but this one applies really well.
I was telling a friend about it and one of her concerns was that the top coat wouldn’t cover up the white first coat. I told her though that it covers really well and you don’t have to worry about walking around with white lashes.
This formula is available in washable and waterproof, as well as two colors, black and brownish black. Check it out at your local drugstore.
Image: maybellinenewyork.ca
10.28.08
Rimmel Eye Shadow in Smokey Blue
I was at Walmart looking around in the cosmetics area for some new eyeshadow. The Rimmel eye shadow quad in Smokey Blue (004) stuck out as soon as I saw it. The colors range from a very light blue to deep dark blue, and as the name implies, they’re the perfect colors for a smokey eye.
While the plastic used to make the quad looks and feels cheap, I was actually pretty impressed with the eyeshadow. It went on smoothly and stayed put, although it was tougher than other eyeshadows to blend it properly. The eyeshadow does contain a little shimmer, but it’s not over the top.
These quads are available in 8 different colors. If I get another one I think I might have to go with the Smokey Purple – I love purple eye shadows, it really makes my eyes pop.
This is the first product I’ve ever bought from Rimmel – and I have to say I think I’ll be a repeat customer. I really like the colors in this quad and it was easy on the wallet. You can’t do better than that.
Available at your local drugstore for $5.
Image: ulta.com
10.21.08
CoverGirl Aqua Smoothers Liquid Foundation
I picked up CoverGirl’s Aqua Smoothers Liquid Foundation at Walmart awhile ago. I was there to pick up some other stuff but once again the cosmetics area drew me it like it does almost every time I go there.
The CoverGirl websites touts that this vitamin enriched formula will last for hours while still being lightweight. This foundation is fragrance free, oil free (great for those of us with oily skin),won’t clog pores, and is hypoallergenic. It’s available in 12 different shades.
But after wearing it for awhile, I have to say that I’m not too impressed with it. Although it was the right shade for my skin it still didn’t look quite right – kind of ashy. It just didn’t look very natural. Although I didn’t think it was too greasy, I found the formula to be a little too watery. I tried mixing it with a little moisturizer and it ended up not working at all. Usually mixing liquid foundation with moisturizer isn’t a problem – but this one was just too watery.
Although this foundation was pretty inexpensive I wouldn’t buy it again. I usually finish using up product, even if I haven’t totally loved it, but I haven’t used this one in a couple weeks. I just don’t like the color or the consistency.
Available at your local drugstore.
Image: shopping.com
10.19.08
Urban Decay Eyeshadow
On a recent trip to Sephora I was on the hunt for some eyeshadow. After trying to narrow it down I finally decided on Urban Decay’s Grifter. The Sephora website describes the shade I decided on, Grifter, as a sparkling pale purple. I have a thing for purple eyeshadows, they really make my green eyes pop.
So I brought it home from the mall and immediately put it on. I loved it. It went on smoothly, it blended well, the color was great, and it even had some shimmer to it, not too much but just enough. But then I looked in the mirror again and I noticed that my cheeks were also shimmering. The glitter got all over my cheeks as well as my eyelids. I just chalked it up to being excited about trying it out and figured I’d be more careful next time I tried it out.
But when next time came around (and I was being really careful) I still had shimmery cheeks. I was a little bummed out about it, but as long as I’m careful to get the glitter off my cheeks and then put on the rest of my makeup I’m okay. However throughout the day I do notice that glitter does manage to spread to the rest of my face. Does anyone else have this problem or is it just me?
All in all though, I’m able to deal with the migrating shimmer because I love this shade of pale purple so much, but I’m not sure if I’d be willing to shell out almost $20 for another one. I figure if I’m going to splurge on something I don’t want to have to worry about it. Urban Decay’s eyeshadow is available in over 50 different pigment rich shades.
Available at Sephora for $19.
Image: beautyexpert.co.uk
10.15.08
The Body Shop Glimmer Cubes
I bought this a month or two ago and figured it was time to finally do a review on it. The Body Shop calls them Shimmer Cubes, simply another name for eye shadow. I thought they looked interesting so I had to get one to try them out.
First off, I have to say that I absolutely love these colors. They’re all shades of brown and look great blended together which is easy to do with these Shimmer Cubes. To apply a stronger color to your lids simply use water on your brush to apply. There are also four other Cubes available, with colors ranging from blue and green to white and red.
As the name implies, there is some Shimmer in them. I’m really cautious when it comes to anything that might look overly glittery or sparkly, but these have just the right amount to reflect the light but not look overdone.
I have a really tough time getting eyeshadow to stay where I want it on my lids, I don’t know what it is, but I do everything I can to keep it where I put it but it always moves. My eyelids have it out for me I think. But I found this eyeshadow to stay put more than other ones that I’ve tried, which was a nice surprise. I still have to use a base, but even at the end of the night it still looks half decent.
Available at your local Body Shop or online for $22.
Image: thebodyshop-ca.stores.yahoo.net/
07.23.08
Makeup Shelf Life
How old is that tube of mascara? Do you even remember when you bought that foundation? How old are the beauty products in your bathroom? It’s important to regularly go through your makeup and get rid of anything that’s past its prime. Read on to find out how to know when to get rid of products.
First off, here are some guidelines for makeup. Remember, these are guidelines. If you don’t clean your makeup brushes regularly you’ll be spreading bacteria and oils from your skin in your makeup, so they’ll need to go sooner than if you washed them weekly. If the texture, color, or smell of it changes, it needs to be tossed as well.
Liquid foundations 6 months
Concealer 12 months
Eyeshadow 18 months
Blush 12 months
Bronzer 12 months
Pressed powder 12 months
Mascara 3 months
Lip gloss and lip stick 18 months
Eye and lip pencils 12 months
Facial cleansers 6 months
Facial moisturizers 9 months
Facial toners 12 months
Nail polish 12 months
Sunscreen 6 months
Some products have little jars with a number in it. This is the number of months the manufacturer suggests the product will last for. If this number is different than one of the above guidelines then go with the number on the label.
And always remember, never share your makeup, you can spread germs and infections. Also, be sure to get rid of your mascara at the three month mark. Because it’s used so close to your eye, using old mascara is a great way to get an eye infection. Yuck.
07.21.08
Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara
Hi ladies. First off I have to apologize for the lack of posts over the last few weeks. What can I say other than the fact that summer got in the way of regular postings. Sorry about that. But now onto the product review……
So I just might be the last person on earth to try Cover Girl’s Lash Blast mascara. Better late than never right? In short, I love it and I can’t believe it took me so long to try it.
The brush seemed huge at first, but once I got the hang of it I really liked how it went on. I found that it gave my lashes some serious volume and left them looking really full. I know some people haven’t liked the bigger brush but I really liked it. I’m not very coordinated and I found it easier to apply because the brush was bigger, although I did find it a little tough to get those little lashes in the corner without getting mascara on my skin.
Lash Blast comes in four colors, from brown to very black, as well as in waterproof. According to the website it’s hypoallergenic, smudge and smear-proof, and safe for people who wear contacts.
I ended up having to go to a couple stores before I found the color I wanted in the washable formula because they were sold out, so be warned that you might have to do a little searching for it, but this mascara is worth it.
Image: covergirl.com
06.19.08
Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner
I find it very easy to apply. Understand though that I’m not very coordinated but I’m still able to apply this eyeliner. I stayed away from eyeliner for years because I would try to put it on, get it all over the place, and give up for another six months. I do find though that the built in sharpener doesn’t work that well, and I therefore have to “sharpen” the tip with a Kleenex to bring the eyeliner to a sharper tip (I hope that makes sense).
I’m a little disappointed in this eyeliner. It doesn’t hold up to the claims that it “doesn’t budge” and has “all day wear”. By the end of the day the eyeliner is mostly still where I put it that morning but some of it has smudge and is on my lid, not where it should be. I think part of it is because I have fairly greasy lids and it makes it tough for my eye makeup to stay where it should be.
There are six great shades to pick from, including Espresso (dark brown), Onyx (black), Jade (green), Sapphire (blue), Cinnabar (light brown), and Pewter (gray). I use Espresso. Unstoppable Eyeliner is safe for contact lens wearers and those with sensitive eyes.
Image: www.hotmamadaily.com
06.17.08
Maybelline Great Lash Mascara
I’ve used this mascara for years now. It’s a great formula for natural looking lashes that won’t clump. It’s hypoallergenic and contact lens safe for those of us who don’t like to wear our glasses. According to the Maybelline website this mascara also conditions your lashes as you use it. Although it won’t give you a lot of volume or lengthening, it gives you beautiful natural looking lashes.
I use brownish black in the washable formula. I find that it stays where it’s supposed to and is easy to take off with eye makeup remover at the end of the day. It’s available in 5 different shades, from Blackest Black to Dark Brown.
All in all, I really like this product. It’s my go to mascara for everyday. It’s available at drugstores for a very affordable $7.
Image: maybelline.com
06.13.08
Stila Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15
This was my first Stila product and overall I have to say that I’m pretty happy with it. I found it easy to apply with my fingers and blend. My skin felt very moisturized while I was wearing it. But I was a little disappointed about the coverage, although it did help to even out my skin tone. Although the bottle might not look big there is a lot of product in it. I wanted it to provide more coverage than it did. Stila also has a SPF 30 version, which I haven’t tried but I think would be great for the summer when you’re spending more time outdoors for better sun protection.
Available at Sephora for about $40.
Image: sephora.com
