Wednesday, October 19, 2011

First Impression/Swatches: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter

I finally found these suckers after going to 2 Rite Aids. I originally heard about these new lip butters from BentleyBlonde on Youtube. Lucky for me Rite Aid was have a 40% off sale on all Revlon products. Regular retail price is $7.50(?) but I paid $4.49 each. My Rite Aid's display was pretty new/full so I counted there to be 20 different shades and I grabbed 11 out of the 20.




1. Packaging is similar to regular Colorburst lipsticks except that the lip butters lid is frosted see thru w/ a clear top so you can see the color of the lip butter. The color of the packaging is similar to the color inside the tube.

2. Scent is light to none at all.

3. Pigmentation is quite well for a lip butter.

4. Retail price ($7.50) is quite expensive for a drugstore lip butter but consider it being on sale for less than $5, that's alright. I'd be more satisfied it was around the range of an EOS lip balm or Maybelline baby lips ($3-4).

5. Formula is soft, creamy and conditioning on lips. It also leaves a glossy sheen.

6. Lasting power is about 3-5 hours.

Tutti Frutti, Candy Apple, Cotton Candy, Berry Smoothie, Cupcake, Sweet Tart



(First swatch is 1 swipe and second swatch is multiple swipes - no flash)


Creamsicle, Lollipop, Strawberry Shortcake, Creme Brulee, Pink Truffle



(First swatch is 1 swipe and second swatch is multiple swipes - no flash)


My favorite has to be Strawberry Shortcake(a milky pink) and Creme Brulee(a sheer nude).

That's it guys! I hope this review helps those of you who are interested in getting this product. Leave a comment and let me know if you've tested these items out and which color is your favorite.

Till next time, Smexyz!

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Review & Swatches: The Balm Cosmetics

The Balm Cosmetics is a USA based cosmetic company. The Balm specializes in both color cosmetics and skincare. The Balm is sold online and in select Sephoras. You can view their whole line of products at www.thebalm.com.

I purchased these products from my local TJ Maxx for about 50% of retail value. HOLY COW! is right. LOL

Today, I will review with you 4 items. The Balm and the Beautiful palette, the luminizer, the bronzer, and one of their Overshadow loose eyeshadow.

First off, we have the Balm and the Beautiful palette. It consist of 16 eyeshadows, 2 cream cheek color, and a lip gloss.






The names of these shadows are quite cute. The pigmentation and color payoff is great. The texture of these shadows are extremely creamy and silky. I'm quite pleased. I have no complaints whatsoever. This palette retails for $44.50 and I purchased mines at TJ Maxx for $19.99. This is a limited edition palette so if you can find it at your local TJ Maxx or Marshall's...GRAB IT!!

Excuse the bad quality of the swatches...I was in a hurry.

















You can also use the cheek stains as lip stains.




Here's the Overshadow loose eyeshadow and luminizer and bronzer.

No Money, No Honey





As you can see, the overshadow No Money, No Honey is very similar to the lumizer. Just that the loose eyeshadow has lots of reflects (almost rainbow like). The loose shadow is very finely milled, super creamy/soft. Great pigmentation.


The lumizer gives your face one of the most beautiful glow without being too much. Again, the formula is super creamy.

I'm not a big of the bronzer. It's a bit frosty for me.


I hope this review was helpful to you.


Wednesday, October 5, 2011

TAG: The Lipstick Tag


1. When you were a child, did you use your mother's lipsticks?
Not my mother's but my sister's.

2. How old were you when you bought your first lipstick?
I'd say 13?

3. Pink or red lipstick?
Pink all the way!

4. The most expensive lipstick you have ever bought?
Estee Lauder Pure Color l/s for $24

5. And the cheapest?
$3-5

6. What's the most bizarre thing you have ever done with a lipstick? 
Use as a eyeshadow base or blush

7. If you had to recommend a lipstick, which brand would you recommend and why?
MAC; lots of shades and finishes


Tuesday, October 4, 2011

TAG: 40 Beauty Questions

SKINCARE
1. How many times do you wash your face daily? 
2x

2. What skin type do you have? (dry,oily,combo)
Normal to Dry to Very Dry

3. What is your current facial wash?
Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser

4. Do you exfoliate?
Yes, 1-2x a week.

5. What brand do you use?
I have a few products that I alternate between; Mary Kay 2 Step Microderm System, St. Ives Green Tea Scrub, and Lioele Peeling Lotion

6.  What moisturizer do you use?
Mary Kay Timewise Moisturizer (daily moisturizer) or Lioele Hydro Peel Therapy Lotion (used after exfoliating)

7. Do you have freckles?
Nope, they're more so dark spots ;)

8. Do you use eye cream?
Yes, without fail!

9. Do you or did you have acne prone skin?
No

10. Did you ever have to use Pro-activ?
No

MAKE-UP

11. What foundation do you use?
I alternate between foundations too.  Revlon Colorstay, Shiseido Liquid SPF Foundation, MAC SFF, 

12. How about concealer?
Garnier Anti-Dark circle roller or Maybelline Dream Mousse concealer
13. Do you know your undertone color?
Beige/yellow

14. What do you think of fake eyelashes?
I'm a dummy when it come to falsies but I do like them and only wear them on "special" occasions.

15. Did you know that you are suppose to change your mascara every 3 months?
Yes, but I change mines according to texture and smell of product.
16. What brand of mascara do you use?
ATM I'm using Maybelline Falsies (Black Drama) and Mary Kay Ultimate Mascara (both are fiber mascaras)
17. Sephora or MAC?
I'd have to say Sephora due to the wider range of brands.
18. 
Do you have a MAC Pro-card?

No

19. What makeup tools do you use in make up application?
Brushes and fingers.
20. Do you use make-up base/primer for the eyes?
Rarely
21. For the face?
Rarely
22. What is your favorite eyeshadow (color or shade)?
I'm a sucker for anything neutral/brown
23. Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner?
Pencil, but my 1st choice would be gel/cream.
24. How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil?
Sometimes ;)
25. What do you think of pigment eyeshadows?
I like them but they're a bit messy.
26. Do you use mineral makeup?
I use to use Bare Minerals faithfully but I got over mineral makeup.  I still wear my Mary Kay Mineral Foundation once in awhile though.
27. What is your favorite lipstick?
MAC Pink Nouveau
28. How about lipgloss?
Not a big fan of glosses
29. What is your favorite blush to use?
NYC's Color Wheel in Pink Cheek Glow
30. Do you buy your makeup on ebay?
Yes, products that are hard to get my hands on in the states.
31. Do you like drugstore makeup?
Yes, there are some amazing drugstore products!
32. Do you go to CCO's? (cosmetic company outlets)
Why not?  Who wouln't?
33. Did you ever consider taking make-up classes?
Yes, but where I live, there's no school dedicated to only makeup.
34. Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?
Sometimes, when I'm tired or in a hurry.
35. Name a makeup crime that you hate?
Foundation line not blended around neck and chin.
36. Do you like colorful shades of makeup (lipstick,eyeshadow) or neutral ones?
Neutrals/Browns
37. Which celebrity always has great make up?
Selena Gomez
38. If you could leave the house using just ONE make up item,what would you use?
Blush
39. Could you ever leave the house without any makeup on?
Doesn't kill me.
40. Do you think you look good even without any makeup on?
Naturally!  
41. In your opinion, what is the BEST makeup line?
That's a rhetorical question.

42. What do you think of Makeup??
Makeup is artistry...creativity...passion...



Ok, tell me if i numbered incorrectly.  I ended up with 42 questions instead of 40...smh

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Review: Mary Kay Timewise Day Solution


-1fl oz for $30
-Comes in a light pink pump bottle
-Spf 25
-To be used daily for protection against uva/uvb

This is my daily sun sunscreen. It's not greasy feeling once soaked into the skin and it blends easily so it doesn't leave a white cast. It does have a sunscreen odor but that doesn't bother me. I'd say this product is quite expensive compared to other brands (i.e. Shiseido) but it's ok. I have like 2 backups of this stuff.

Review: Mary Kay Timewise Night Solution


-This comes in a clear glass pump bottle and inside is the serum; and the serum contains pink, white and blue beads that burst when rubbed on the skin
-Mary Kay claims that this serum is encapsulated with vitamins and antioxidants combined with collagen-enhancing peptides that will help fade away deep lines and wrinkles.
-First time I used this product, I was blown away, I saw results in as little as 10 minutes
-It gives me an instant face lift effect, my face just seem much more awake and less aged
-I've been using this product since january of 2011 and I'm on my 2nd bottle
-It's $30 for a 1fl oz bottle and one bottle last me about 2-3 months
-This serum is only intended to be used at nights after cleansing face and before moisturizer
-I highly recommend this product for those of you who wants younger looking skin without spending a lot of money for surgery or treatments.
-I would definitely be repurchasing this product and will continue to use this product.
-This is my HG anti-aging serum!

Monday, June 27, 2011

Review: Revlon Colorstay Liquid Foundation for Dry/Normal skin

OK, so I wanted to find a nice drugstore foundation for everyday wear since I didn't want to quickly run out of my high end foundations.  I was hesitant to purchase Colorstay but WTH, it was less than $10 at Wal-mart.  Plus, I've heard great reviews on the product.  I own Photoready but I really dislike using it bc of all the shimmers.  Plus the shade is a bit orangey for me.

Anywhoo, back to Colorstay.  I picked up the shade in Fresh Beige from the Dry/Normal formula.  This shade is perfect for my skintone.  My favorite to apply this foundation is with my flat top Sonia Kashuk brush.  I get a nice natural matte finish that doesn't need to be set with powder.

Pros:

  • Wide variety of shade selection (10+ shades)
  • 2 formulas (dry/normal or combo/oily)
  • Coverage is light to medium
  • Buildable coverage
  • Natural matte finish
  • Lasts up to 10+ hours
  • Pretty good at being transfer resistant
  • Price (about $10 at Wal-Mart/Target)
  • Kind to my sensitive skin =)
Cons:
  • No pump
  • Dries rather quick
  • Has a strong "makeup" scent (my husband noticed it...LOL)
Would I repurchase?  Yes, most definitely!

Saturday, June 18, 2011

FOTD

New cut/color



What am I wearing?

Laura Mercier Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer w/spf 20, NYX True Taupe on brows, UD Sin, Virgin, & Smog, Elf Black gel liner, Maybelleine Falsies, Hard Candy Glamoflage concealer, Laura Geller Bronze & Brighten, Elf Tickled Pink, Milani Dolce Pink

New hair cut/style

Love it/hate it...idc!!





Friday, June 17, 2011

First Impression: Laura Geller Baked Beginnings Sample Kit









BEWARE: BARE FACE


Cleaned/moisturized face w/MAC Prep & Prime Skin Base Visage



After Balance & Brighten application



After Bronze & Brighten application



After Blush & Brighten application



Finished look




Final thoughts:


This product does indeed even out skin tone and discolorations. The bronzer gives a very natural glow. Coverage is sheer. I'd much rather use the Balance & Brighten as a setting powder. Will use a bit longer before I do a final review.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

LOTD

SMEXIFIED!!
Face:  MUFE HD & MAC Careblend
Brows:  MAC Charcoal Brown
Eyes:  UDPP, MAC Cross Cultural, MAC Tissueweight, UD Virgin & Sin, UD Zero e/l, Elf gel liner, Ardell falsies
Cheeks:  Elf Tickle Pink and NYX True Taupe for contour
Lips:  Palladio Pink Lip Tint, MAC Blankety, Nivea chap stick