Beauty Corner

Beauty Battle: Boots No 7 vs. Physician’s Formula Bronzers

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Maybe I’m feeling a bit feisty, but the idea of a beauty battle just sounds awesome.

Summer may be fading but we all want to go back to school or work looking like we gave summer our all. So which of these drugstore bronzers would be your best bet? Let’s battle it out!

How adorable is this packaging?

How adorable is this packaging?

In this corner…Physician’s Formula Happy Boosting Glow and Mood Boosting Bronze Illuminating Veil in the shade Light Bronzer $13.99 (I bought mine during one of Ulta’s bogos so I’d hold out for that deal.)

Who wouldn’t want a product with the phrase “happy boosting” in the title? It’s been a long while since I’ve tried any PF products. Some of their packaging has changed but the brand is  just as charming  and quirky as I remember. The pink plastic twist-top container is rather cheery looking and comes with not only a brush but a pink powder puff so you can choose which method you want to use. There is also a mirror inside the compact top, which is always nice. I think the slight bump in price for this product comes from the fancy packaging add-ons.

Hearts of gold and bronze.

Hearts of gold and bronze.

One of the first things you notice about this product is the light scent. I think a lot of PF products have a perfume-y note to them, which doesn’t bother me but it often takes me off guard. The scent of the Happy Booster though is light and pleasant and vaguely floral. The bronzer itself is shimmery and I was afraid it was going to look like a craft project exploded on my face. But the shimmer blends out well and is not too obvious. The heart-shaped beads are in light tones and the color does not build that well. A light glow is as good as it is going to get.  And for some, that might be enough. I will say it’s great for adding subtle dimension to your foundation but I would not call this a contouring friendly product. Unless you bought the other shade, which is Bronzer. Haven’t tried it, but maybe it would work better for a more chiseled cheek look.

This half of my face brought to you by Happy Booster

This half of my face brought to you by Happy Booster.

Expectations are everything when trying a new product. The packaging promised me a glow, and that’s exactly what I get out of this Happy Booster–something subtle. I like this for a quick swish over my cheeks so that I don’t look washed out.

 

And now in this corner…Boots No. 7 Perfectly Bronzed Pearls are $11.99 at Ulta

Simple but chic design.

Simple but chic design.

I first encountered the Boots brand in England when I was studying abroad in Cambridge, but this is my first Boots No. 7 purchase. Right away, I would say the Boots bronzer has a more high-end appearance though it costs less. The container is clear with a metallic-bronze lid that would look quite pretty sitting out on your vanity. The  pearls don’t come with a puff, but there is a foam circlet when you first open the packaging to prevent the beads from breaking. I’ve kept the circlet so that I don’t break the pearls during travel. Also I love that they’re called pearls because it just sounds so classy.

I've always loved a pretty pearl.

I’ve always loved a pretty pearl.

Formula wise, the pearls are in deeper tones and possibly more universally flattering for that reason. (To be fair to PF they also offer a product called Sun Stones that more closely resemble this pigmentation, but I was more attracted to the Happy Booster Packaging.) There is a hint of shimmer but the pearls are much more pigmented. I would say Boots is better for full contour. I only needed a light swirl in the pan to get good color over my cheeks, but if you have darker skin tones, this product also builds up nicely. I even contoured the sides of my nose with this product. At the same time, I don’t feel like the color is too dark for my skin tone.

The Boot-iful other half of my face.

The Boot-iful other half of my face.

I didn’t have a set level of expectations going into using this product and was pleasantly surprised by how well the Bronzed Pearls worked for me.

*****

The reason I wanted to compare these two products is they have a similar price range and are a similar style of product. Each is a small compact-sized container that has shaped bronzed pearls, or in the case of the Physician’s Formula, hearts. The PF also comes with a pink puff and a flat narrow pink brush, both of which are cute but not altogether helpful in makeup application.You swirl your brush over both pearls for a light dusting of bronzer. I use what I call the E&3 method for my bronzer, which is to sweep my brush in an E or 3 shape down my face depending on what side you’re on. If I want to contour any further than that I do so with the E&3 as a base.

The picture here is just a light application in the E&3 style.

Serious face for a serious beauty battle. Right half, Happy Booster. Left Half, Boots Pearls.

Serious face for a serious beauty battle. Right half, Happy Booster. Left Half, Boots Pearls.

So after a grueling beauty battle a victor has emerged…

And the winner is Boots No. 7 Perfectly Bronzed Pearls!

The price is right and the Boots bronzer is going to be a more versatile product for a variety of skin tones. I like the Physician’s Formula Happy Booster and will continue to use it, but I tend to lean towards the Boots.

So what do you think? Did the referee (a.k.a me) make the right call? What’s your favorite bronzer for the end of summer?

Mid-Week Manicure

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Star Sprinkles!

Star Sprinkles!

Excuse the raggedy edges. I ended up cleaning my nails up more after taking the photo, but was too lazy to retake the picture. I was just excited about how my mid-week manicure turned out and needed to share!

My inspiration for this week’s nail look is one of my favorite TV shows from childhood, Rainbow Brite. If you’re not in the know (and if not, I highly recommend tracking this down on Netflix or some other streaming equivalent) Rainbow Brite details the epic journey of a young girl whose sole purpose is to bring color, light, and happiness to a colorless land, which in turn helps Earth retain its color. There are Color Kids who are responsible for mining Color Crystals, and anal retentive sprite named Twink, and a sassy faintly British horse named Starlite. And the villains who just want everything to be in black and white are called Murky and Lurky. It’s childhood perfection.

Rainbow Brite tossing out her magical Star Crystals like a boss.

Rainbow Brite tossing out her magical Star Sprinkles like a boss.

I seriously believe this show forever effected my sense of style and aesthetics because I’m all about bright colors. So when I found this glitter top coat from Geek Chic Cosmetics I had to have it! The formula has a clear base with small silver glitter pieces, larger multicolored circular glitter pieces, and some multicolored star shaped glitter pieces. Very multidimensional!

The look you see above was achieved with only one coat of Star Sprinkles. I love it over the white base for a more literal interpretation of the Rainbow Brite theme, but I think it would look great over other colors as well.

So for this nail look I used Julep’s Bunny as  a base with two coats. Bunny is a creamy white with subtle hints of golden shimmer. I’ve been using Bunny as a base for many of my designs lately, and it really works for my Rainbow Brite inspired look.  I also used Julep’s Oxygen Smoothing Base Coat and the Oxygen Performance Top Coat, both of which are formulated to allow for more oxygen to reach your nail bed for healthier, stronger nails.

Geek Chic Cosmetics also have great shimmery eye shadow shades inspired by several of fantasies most beloved series. They sell their stock of a particular batch until they run out, so if you love it grab it! They have eye shadow collections based on shows/films like Harry Potter and Doctor Who and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The shadows all have names that we satisfy your inner geek. For example, I have a black shimmery shadow from their Win or Die collection called Brotherhood of Crows. Everything they make is also cruelty free, gluten free, and vegan friendly.

Star Sprinkles is currently on sale on the Geek Chic website for $4.99.

Julep’s Bunny is $14.00 for non-Mavens and $11.20 for Mavens (the name for Julep subscribers). If you’d like to become a Maven click here for a referral link.

 

June Favorites

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Five Fabulous Favorites

Five Fabulous Favorites

This month, I limited myself in terms of my makeup purchases because I went a little loony in May.  So my favorites this month are all things that I’ve been trying for a few months. And I’ve loved them in these months, I’ve just been neglecting them in my favorites posts for some reason or another. But no more! These products will finally get the recognition that they deserve for the month of June.

*If I specify a store in the price, it means that that site or store offered a much better offer than the others when I did an online search.*

 

Easiest lotion ever.

Easiest lotion ever.

Vaseline Spray& Go Moisturizer ($5.99 at Drugstore.com)

Most of you have probably seen the commercials with the adorable hipster chick who can hop into her clothes super quick because this stuff dries that fast. I had so much doubt and a touch of condescension for that commercial’s promises. But after I read several bloggers recommend the Spray & Go I figured it was worth trying, especially with the price. Doubt and condescension gone, my friends! I’ve been trying to do a full body lotion treatment every day, and this spray makes that process simple and easy. For a spray it gives great coverage (you do have to rub it in) and it is true to its claim of being non-greasy. My skin feels soft and healthy. The lotion has a lovely, light oat smell as well. It’s a weirdly comforting smell for me. The line also has a cocoa and an aloe scented spray. I might try one of the others when I run out of this oat scent.

 

Pens! I know how to handle pens!

Pens! I know how to handle pens!

I Heart Nail Art Pens by Sally Hansen in Black ($5.99)

I am just starting to adventure into the realm of nail art. These pens by Sally Hansen come in a wide range of colors, but I wanted to start with the basics. I haven’t gotten too fancy yet–just simple dots and lines. But this pen is so easy to use. Shake and then draw. The formula is as opaque as a regular black nail polish and sets up incredibly quick. It’s as easy as handling a regular pen. For more advanced artists, I’m sure you could create some fantastic designs, but I’m thrilled with what I’ve created already. Check out one of my designs below.

Dots galore.

Dots galore.

The rich gingerbread-y brown here is a Julep polish by the name of Vera. All Julep colors are named after fabulous females.

 

Miracle is in the title!

Miracle is in the title!

L’Oreal Revitalift Miracle Blur ($19.99 at Target)

Lately this has been my favorite primer. You could readily wear this by itself though. The Miracle Blur comes in two separate formulas, the regular and the oil-free. This one is the standard formula that has oil in its base, but I do not feel that it makes my skin all that oily. I have normal to oily skin so anything that makes me any more oily would not survive long in my collection. The Miracle Blur has an SPF 30 which makes it a great way to start your makeup. A pea size portion covers my whole face if I warm it up between my fingers first. It smooths out lines and pores and gives you that airbrushed finish we all crave. My skin has been on the dry side lately so I’ve been using this product with my next favorite  because the combo leaves my skin feeling supple and soft all day long.

 

All about that H2O.

All about that H2O.

Pixi’s H2O Skin Tint in Cream ($24.99)

I got this product many moons ago at Target, but I haven’t fallen in love with it until this month. Before I would use it for evening events where I had little prep time, like a random invite to the movies. It’s a quick blend and will get you out the door in minutes. The Pixi website claims that this tinted gel will give you a flawless, no makeup look. And that is exactly what it does. Not only is this one of the most hydrating things I’ve subjected my face to, but when it’s on my skin looks happier and healthier. More so even than when I use a BB cream. The tone of my skin is more even and has a natural looking glow without bronzer. It’s a water based formula, so it makes sense that it is so skin friendly.

Pixi H2O Skin Tint

Pixi H2O Skin Tint

You can see that when it’s rubbed in the gel blends well with my natural skin tone. From left to right is a full blend to the product just sitting on my skin. This is a full pump of product, and it covers my face entirely. For a tinted moisturizer it’s a tad expensive but it is worth the price.

 

Best Makeup Remover Ever

Best Makeup Remover Ever.

Pond’s Cold Cream Cleanser ($4.49)

This is a giant vat of cold cream that I may never fully empty out. Good thing it’s awesome. A quarter size dollop or less will remove every last bit of makeup on your face, even waterproof. You just gently wipe off the excess product with a damp washcloth. My face feels so hydrated after I take my makeup off. And I don’t need to rub hard on my eyes to get any shadow or mascara off. Some of the key ingredients in this product are mineral oil and beeswax. So moisture is key. And it’s hypoallergenic too, so if you’re like me with sensitive skin this shouldn’t irritate it. I have to say I don’t reach for my makeup wipes as often these days because my skin doesn’t feel as great afterwards.  You’d be crazy not to try this.

So those are my June favorites, and they’re all about ease and staying hydrated. Don’t forget to take your water bottles with you when you go out this summer to stay hydrated inside as well as out!

Product Fail: Rimmel Exaggerate Undercover Shadow Primer

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Rarely do I hate a beauty product. It might languish away in my drawer due to disinterest, but there’s always the hope that it might get rediscovered. But I have some full-blown hate for Rimmel London’s Exaggerate Undercover Shadow Primer. It has utterly failed at its purpose.

Grrrr....product rage.

Grrrr….product rage.

The reason I’m so cranky is that Rimmel is a good drugstore brand. I love their mascaras and eyeliners in particular, so when I saw the Undercover Shadow Primer I thought it would be a natural fit with my collection. False.

This product promises to smooth and prep the lid for 4-7 hour wear and its shimmery white color could be used alone or to enhance your eye shadows. Another feature it stresses is that your color should be smudge proof. All pretty basic things for a primer. Though the 4-7 hour promise is a bit weak considering that my Wet n’ Wild For My Primas (Fergie Collection) Primer lasts me all dang day.

Now finding this primer online is kind of tricky. There are some eBay prices ranging from $4.99-6.99. I honestly cannot remember what I paid for this primer because I got it at Target in store a few months ago, and you cannot even buy this primer online. It’s like the internet knows this product is bad news. And I got seduced by the crisp, white aisles of my local Target. Sigh. Such is life.

Here you can see the pale shimmery white color. it had such potential!

Here you can see the pale shimmery white color. it had such potential!

I was really excited for this primer because the packaging showed a picture of colorful eyelid with and without the primer, and the lid with the primer yielded more vivid colors. Typically when I apply primer, I do my face primer and then my eyes. Then I brush my teeth or go get dressed so that I allow my primers to fully sink in. The Rimmel Undercover Shadow Primer was still tacky after the few minutes it took me to get dressed. So I put on my foundation. After my face was buffed and blended, the primer was no longer tacky but it had already creased and clumped up in the tiny folds of my eyelid. Am I supposed to sit for five minutes with my eyes closed for this thing to do its job? If so, that is incredibly unrealistic. Think of me like a little bear perpetually stumbling out of hibernation; it’s not going to take much to make me want to stumble back into my cave. If you ask me to sit still with my eyes closed in the morning for five minutes, I will fall asleep again.

Still, I smoothed out the primer to the best of my abilities and tried to apply my shadow. The shades looked muddy and did not blend well on the primer (I’ve used those specific colors before and have had no problems). On top of all these problems, the colors barely lasted a few hours before they smeared off my lid. I looked like a wreck. But I was still willing to give this primer a second shot thinking that maybe my application was at fault.

Doe footed disaster.

Doe footed disaster.

Round two with the Rimmel Undercover Shadow Primer was just as frustrating. The primer has a doe-foot applicator, so I will say it applies easily though not necessarily evenly. This time I gave the primer ample time to set, or so I thought. I used different shadows from the day before and tried applying those shadows with a brush. The primer started flaking off. Or maybe pilling is a better word for it. Little balls of primer formed and flaked off my lid as I was trying to brush on shadow. This is one of the weirdest primer experiences I’ve ever had.

After two disastrous attempts I had to call it quits with this Rimmel primer. Not all of a brand’s range can be winners, and this primer is an absolute loser. I hate wasting things that I spend my money on, but this beast is going in the trash.

Has anyone else had trouble with this primer?

 

June Ipsy Bag 2014

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Nothing quite brightens my day like seeing that pink bubblewrap envelope from ipsy. This month’s theme is Pretty in Paradise and is all about achieving that gorgeous summer look. I’ve been trying out these products for a few weeks, so here’s my verdict on June’s ipsy bag.

As most of you know, ipsy is a service that for $10 a month sends you 4-5 sample or full size beauty products. Ipsy also provides discounts from many of their monthly products, which is a heady drug for us beauty addicts. In the three months I’ve been an ipsy subscriber I have really enjoyed the service and trying new things. If you’re interested in joining up, use this link here to get started.

June Ipsy Bag

June Ipsy Bag

Every once in a while my inner label whore wants attention, and boy is she happy right now! This month’s ipsy bag was specially designed by Rebecca Minkoff to coordinate with her 2014 summer collection. I can’t afford anything else this woman creates but dang does it feel good to have this little makeup bag. And it’s really adorable. Not too thrilled by the zipper location though; it sometimes makes larger products awkward to fit into the bag. Ipsters also receive 20% off at rebeccaminkoff.com. Super win!

OleHenrikson Truth to Go Wipes ($9.00 for 10 cloth pack): These citrus scented cleansing wipes feel like a luxury item for a somewhat reasonable price. The texture is kind of thick and fluffy for a makeup remover wipe, so I want to call them a cloth. It may seem like a strange distinction but I think it’s one worth making here. With most makeup remover wipes I feel like it’s just step one and I still need to wash my face after. These OleHenrikson wipes/clothes  actually do the full job. I took them on a road trip recently as my only cleansing method, which could have been risky but paid off.  I wouldn’t recommend using only these clothes long term, but for a weekend away or a night where you just want to hit the hay these are perfect. I might repurchase these for travel, because of the ease and small package size, but I can’t really support this price for everyday use. If you’re an ipster you can get 20% off your order if you share your email address though so that might be worth it.

Jessie’s Girl Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in black ($6.99):  I’ve never used a felt tip eyeliner before, so this was a lot of fun to try. This is the greatest wing-making tool I’ve ever used. The control with this product is amazing. The design of the tip kind of looks like a calligraphy pen, so you can create a super thin line or go thick. It glides on  and then dries quickly. It also lasts all day long and doesn’t even think about smudging. I have to use my strongest makeup remover to get this stuff off at night.  Some liquid eyeliners have a hint of a sheen or a wet look to them, but this Jessie’s Girl liner is a luscious matte. The price on this liner is also lovely. I will definitely be purchasing Jessie’s Girl Liquid Eyeliner again in the future. Ipsters also receive 20% off any purchase at the Jessie’s Girl site.

NYX Butter Gloss in Eclair ($5.00): I’m always excited to try a new NYX product! Like most brands there are some hit or miss items in their range, but the Butter Glosses are almost unanimously beloved. This is my first try with the Butter Glosses and I absolutely buy into the hype. The color I received, Eclair, is a light pink or barely nude. I feel a little bit like Bridgitte Bardot with the shade and high sheen. Overall the gloss is fantastic but doesn’t become sticky with wear. You do need to reapply every few hours–I wouldn’t call this formula longwearing–but your lips will feel plush and moisturized for hours after it wears off. That’s a fair trade to me. And the smell is delicious like vanilla sponge cake. For $5.00 this is worth every penny. I will be getting other shades of this in the near future. Ipsy subscribers will also receive  30% off on NYX stick blush.

Marc Anthony True Professional Dream Waves Beach Spray ($3.79 for travel size. $8.79 for full size): My hair is stick straight and notoriously refuses to hold a curl. So naturally I’ve always wanted glorious waves. I had high hopes for this product, mostly because the phrase “dream waves” are in the title. The bottle says to spray into hair either wet or dry, scrunch your hair for texture and volume, then let dry. Now true to form, my hair refuses to give into my desire to have mermaid locks. However, this ended up being a wonderful volumizer. So while I didn’t get beach waves from this product, I did get fullness and a bit of added body. Dry shampoos have never really worked for me because they tend to make my hair greasier, but this beach spray is a more effective solution for my hair’s needs.  I haven’t used this product often in the last few weeks but I will keep it around for when my hair is looking particularly flat. I would repurchase this product and if you’re an ipsy subscriber you can now get $1.00 off the full size at Walgreens.com

Lash Out Mascara by Be A Bombshell ($15): This is the most expensive product in my ipsy bag?? Kind of disappointing. I have some incredible mascaras from the drugstore that are less expensive and do a better job i.e. L’Oreal Miss Manga, Maybelline the Falsies, or even e.l.f. waterproof  and lengthening mascara. Even after three coats my lashes do not have much added length or volume. It’s a very dry formula, and so it is also prone to flaking. There are few products out there that I truly am disappointed with, but this Lash Out mascara is absolutely one of them. Ipsters can get 30% off purchase and a free Beach Please blush, which is a good deal if I weren’t so upset with this mascara.

Not so much with the killer deals this month, but that’s probably because of the designer makeup bag. Overall, I’d give this bag a 3 out of 5 bubbles (I’m trying this system out. Too corny?). My favorite of the bags so far was April. The value of June’s bag is $39.78, which is the least value I’ve received thus far. But it’s still a worthwhile value and a great service.

Ipsy link: http://www.ipsy.com/r/7zfy

May Empties

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I don’t think I ever paid that much attention to what kind of products I go through in a month until adding the empties post to my blog routine. I’m in a phase where I’m rotating through some skin care items, which I am crazy proud of finishing up because it feels like I’ve had them for far too long.

Just to rehash my system for empties I like to think of completed products as Buy Now, Buy Later, or Never Buy Again. I’ll give you my thoughts on each item and then the final verdict. Let’s get to it!

I squeezed every last ounce of toothpaste out of this thing.

I squeezed every last ounce of toothpaste out of this thing.

Colgate Total Zx Pro Shield Plus Sensitivity ($3.87):

I feel a perverse sense of satisfaction whenever I finish a tube of toothpaste. I picked up the Total Zx maybe eight months ago, and now I can’t even find it on the Colgate website. Does anyone know what happened to it? It’s a nice minty toothpaste that left my  mouth feeling professional level clean. There is a warning on the back of the tube that you shouldn’t use it consecutively for more than four weeks because of the strength of the toothpaste…this is maybe why I can’t find it online anymore. But it was a good toothpaste and I think it did some mild whitening.

I’m a die-hard Colgate girl so I’ve already repurchased another Colgate tube but not this specific one. So I’m calling this a Never Buy Again simply because I can’t find it and that warning is ominous.

Best Editing Tool

Best Editing Tool

Almay Lash Care Gentle Eye Makeup Remover Pads ($5.99):

Typically when I remove my makeup, I do it in one fell swoop with either a cold cream or a full face makeup wipe. And I’d like to point out that I didn’t buy this for myself the first time around. My Grandmother got me this product because she liked it so much for travel. What I ended up using (and loving) these pads for are for editing when I apply my makeup for the day. If I got a little too crazy with my eyeliner or contoured too hard, then these pads are my salvation. And when I test new products on the back of my hand or do swatches for the blog, these are quick little erasers. They may be meant for eyes but they work on all kinds and formulas of makeup. This little tube holds 80 makeup remover pads, which for its price is acceptable math for me.

These Almay Makeup Remover Pads earn a Buy Now from me, though I imagine any of the other Almay Makeup Remover Pads (Oil Free, Longwear and Waterproof, and Soothing) would be just as nice.

My go to facial sunblock

My go to facial sunblock

BeautiControl’s Cell Block-C ($30.00):

For most of my life, my mother has been a BeautiControl consultant on and off. If there is one product that company produces that I cannot get enough of, it’s the Cell Block-C. It has an SPF of 20 and is an ideal pre-makeup moisturizer. You don’t need a ton of product to cover your entire face. It’s also great for your no makeup days where you just want a fresh look because it gives a dewy look. The nutrients in the formula also tone your skin and I’ve seen a reduction of the freckles under my eyes. If you have oily skin this might not be your best bet because it takes a few minutes for the product to sink in. But for my combination skin, it’s perfect.

This is definitely a Buy Now for me. I already feel its lack on my bathroom counter and can’t wait for my order to come in.

I honestly thought I'd never finish this bottle of toner.

I honestly thought I’d never finish this bottle of toner.

Neutrogena’s Pore Refining Toner ($6.99):

Sorry for the blurry photo! I have had this bottle of toner since my undergrad. I don’t load my cotton pads with a ton of product so it took me forever to get through this. Excellent toner though. It would easily remove any lingering makeup and I do feel that it helped minimize my pores. It does sting a bit since one of its primary ingredients is alcohol, but it also has some more friendly ingredients like witch hazel extract and peppermint leaf extract. Even though I’ve been branching out lately, Neutrogena is still my go-to skin friendly brand.

When I’ve had a product for a long time, I prefer to try something different. However this product definitely worked for me so I’d call it a Buy Later.

Minty freshness

Minty freshness

Listerine Whitening Plus Restoring Rinse ($7.43 at drugstore.com):

I’m not really sure what to say about this product that you haven’t heard already. I mean, it’s mouthwash. You either prefer the kind with alcohol in it or you don’t. I’ve used other brands like ACT or Crest, but I prefer the whitening power of Listerine. I just feel like my breath is fresher longer even if I have to suffer through the burn of alcohol. And since I’m not going to give up my soda any time soon, the whitening and enamel strengthening thing is kind of vital.

I’ve already got a new bottle of this on my sink, so it’s a Buy Now.

The first eyeliner I ever loved.

The first eyeliner I ever loved.

Neutrogena Nourishing Eyeliner in Brushed Pewter ($7.99):

When I first started using makeup in middle school, eyeliners were such a foreign concept to me. I hated getting up close and personal with my eye line. It wasn’t until college that I got brave enough to give eyeliner a chance, and Neutrogena’s Nourishing Eyeliner was the first one I tried. Because, again, I implicitly trust Neutrogena. Over the years I’ve learned that I prefer cream liners instead of pencils. Occasionally I will use a liquid liner but it’s only when I’m going for a specific look. This product claims to be nourishing, but I honestly couldn’t say if it was or not. It is a nice formula and is excellent for beginners. The end ever comes with a smudger and built-in sharpener.

I’ve already got a replacement for this little fellow because it’s such a perfect everyday liner. Buy Now.

Phew! That’s it for empties this month. Hope you enjoyed this post about products I’ve enjoyed till the end.

Julep Plie Wand First Impressions

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I love nail polish. But I’m also a sloppy manicurist. That being said, I don’t like to go get professional manicures because I had a nightmare scenario where my cuticle got ripped open down to the first knuckle. It scarred me for life. Not physically but definitely mentally. So, I’m a dedicated do-your-own-nails kind of gal.

Which is why I also got super pumped for Julep’s plie wand; an ergonomically designed tool that allows you more control with your polishing. I participated in the crowd funding campaign, which also means I prepaid for my May Maven box. Two birds, one very cool stone.

Image above politely borrowed from julep.com

How it works: the base has a magnetic connector, which attaches to a hollow cap. You can easily fit the hollow cap over most julep polishes by wiggling their own cap off, leaving behind what I’m calling the brush-cap. Using your dominant hand, you hold the plie wand like a pen between your thumb and index finger. Brush like normal. For your non-dominant hand the base of the wand gently rotates so it can be held in whatever way feels most natural. You really have to play with it, but that part is customizable to your own comfort level. This may sound slightly confusing but the plie wand is really intuitive.

Image above politely borrowed from julep.com

You can also purchase extra magnetic caps with precision brushes and some creativity tools–a striping tool and a dotter. All at a slightly discounted price, if you’re a Maven of course.

Since receiving my plie wand this month, I’ve used it three times. I’m getting better with every use, but here are my first impressions.

Pros:

Even after one use my edges are cleaner and more precise, particularly on my non-dominant hand.

Easy to adjust to. Using the wand doesn’t feel like a beauty science project. It just makes sense.

Comfortable weight and easy grip.

Most Julep polishes’ top caps can be wiggled off to reveal a brush cap. Even the ones that came before the plie wand.

An increased sense of confidence in my polishing skills. Woot!

 

Cons:

I’m stumped by how to fully clean the additional brushes I purchased for reuse. Even when I soak them in remover, I can’t get it all off.

Getting the interior brush-cap out from the magnetic cap can be very tricky. (Solution: take the narrow end of the wand and push the brush-cap out through the little hole on the top. Still, annoying though.)

Harder but not impossible to use with non-Julep polishes…hence my purchasing extra caps.

 

For myself, I have quite a budding collection of Julep polishes, so that last one might not be a big deal for me, but could certainly trouble you. Overall, I’m glad I purchased Julep’s plie wand. Since it’s user-friendly, I imagine I will only get better with the wand as time goes by.

Intrigued by the new tech? Get your plie wand here…

Plie Wand Page

Want to be a Maven? Click this link to get your first box…

Julep Maven

 

May Ipsy Bag 2014

/ caitlinemccann / 5 Comments

It’s that time again! My second ipsy bag arrived earlier this week, and I have already been luxuriating in May’s Fresh Picks. This month’s bag is all about doing good things for your skin and hair. Lots of skin protectors, moisturizers, and animal friendly finds.

Most of you probably know about ipsy, the $10 a month subscription service that mails you 4-5 beauty products in a unique makeup bag. I love ipsy. It’s such a great value and has already gotten me clued in to some amazing new things. Check out the link at the bottom of the page to sign up for your own monthly makeup bag.

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This month’s bag is a little canvas number with light green vines printed on the front. So easy to throw in my purse or clutch, and it’s a standout in the depths of my bag. But now to the goodies!

Pacifica Mineral Eye Duo: This set was the only bit of makeup in my bag this month and it’s a special duo made for ipsy. The shades are Celestial and Opal and are regularly part of the Mystical Palette, which has two additional shades and retails for $14.  Pacifica is all about natural, vegan friendly beauty. I’m typically drawn to these kind of shimmery neutrals, so I was excited to receive this duo in my bag. The formula is smooth but very sheer and it doesn’t build as well as I might like. I’ll still use these shadows but they might be regulated to highlight tones. Ipsters receive 25% off any Pacifica order though, so that may be worth investigating.

Avene Thermal Spring Water: I’ve never been so entranced with fancy water. Pulled straight from a thermal spring in France this spray is noted for its purity standards. Avene products are also ideal for sensitive skin. At first, I thought, “Seriously? Spray water is in my bag?” but I am in love with this little beauty. A light spritz is so refreshing first thing in the morning or after completing your evening skin care routine. Or if it’s hot outside, pop this in your bag for a bit of relief whenever you need it.  A full bottle costs $18.  But for the same price at drugstore.com you can get three of the travel sizes like the one pictured above. Ipsy is offering 15% on any Avene product through drugstore.com too, so it will be even cheaper if you’re a subscriber.

Hey Honey Take It Off! Exfoliating Honey Peel Off Mask: You know when you have a sunburn and it’s godawful but the peeling part at the end is kind of fun? This peel off mask is like that sensation without the skin damage and physical discomfort. Yay! It’s a clear mask that exfoliates and gets the gunk out of your pores. Their website recommends you lightly moisturize before applying and then lightly moistrize after taking the mask off. What I like to do is spray the Avene on before and then massage the pur~lisse into my skin after. My skin has never felt so lush and soft and pampered than when using this combo. Quite by accident, ipsy gave me my new favorite spa trio. Full size of this mask retails for $35, which you can get on heyhoney.com

Jersey Shore Sun Sans Tan Anti-Aging Sunscreen: I’ve always been a fan of sunblock, but I never fully processed the difference between physical and chemical sunscreens. Physical sunscreens literally block or deflect the sun’s rays. Chemical sunscreens scatter or absorb the rays. This SPF 35 product is a physical sunblock because of its zinc oxide formula. It goes on thick and leaves your skin with a white cast, so use this product first then put your foundation on. While the phrase “anti-aging” is in the title, I’m not convinced it does anything more than protect you from the sun’s rays, which can accelerate the aging process if you overindulged. A full size product can set you back $40, but using ipsy’s code, you can get 30% off the full size.

Pur~lisse pur~moist hydra balance moisturizer: When I saw this product in the bag, I thought I would happily use my sample size and move on to other moisturizers. False. I’m in love with this pur~lisse product. It has a light, fresh smell and hydrates your skin all day. Some of the ingredients are blue lotus and white tea, which is what I think I’m smelling. So good! Full size versions of this retail for $55 but you can get 30% off any pur~lisse purchase if you’re an Ipster.

I’m so pleased with this month’s ipsy bag. It’s hard for me to estimate the value of the bag this month since everything is a sample size, but for $10 I am beyond thrilled. The discounts you get as an Ipster is also worthwhile.

Want to become an Ipster? Copy and paste the link below to get started…

http://www.ipsy.com/r/7zfy

Wet n’ Wild’s Poster Child Palette

/ caitlinemccann / 4 Comments

Recently, I got charmed by one of Wet n’ Wild’s eight shadow palettes from their Color Icon line, called Poster Child. One of my favorite things about Wet n’ Wild is that they tell you where to put their shadows. When I first started buying makeup, I especially appreciated the helpful hints. Now, they’re just pleasant suggestions.

I was inspired by the Poster Child palette to create two different, slightly edgy looks for summer. This post will be part review and part tutorial.

Here is what the palette looks like…

Up close and personal with the Poster Child palette

Up close and personal with the Poster Child palette

Obviously what caught my eye in the store was the bright colors. For some reason I also get annoyed when palettes try to tell me to use the most intriguing colors as a liner (even though I am in control of my makeup application so it’s a weird thing to be annoyed by), so I really liked that Wet n’ Wild used “definer” instead of “liner.”

The shades are extremely buildable and if you use a good primer on your lid, they will hold all day. Initially they go on more sheer and have a soft powder texture, but you can really pack on the color to great effect. The sponge-tip and brush duo applicator is decent for application, so if you’re not into brushes this can be a full service palette.

For the first look, I used the left half of the palette with the pink tones and the black definer.

One step closer to becoming a Pink Lady.

One step closer to becoming a Pink Lady.

For most of these shades I had to dip back into the palette multiple times to get the pigmentation you see here in the swatches, but don’t let that scare you! Of the four, the deep coral color is easily the most pigmented, but the black could easily blend out for a smooth smokey eye.

I’m not going to lie, these shades were what drew me into the palette. I’ve been having a real moment where I am trying to channel my inner Rizzo from Grease. No idea where this impulse came from, but I’m going with it. This look is my homage to the Pink Ladies.

A metal spiked headband adds a bit of biker chic.

A metal spiked headband adds a bit of biker chic.

Pink with a touch of punk.

Pink with a touch of punk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For this look, I followed the basic instructions imprinted into the shadows. I did a light wash of the shade that looks like a baby pink, bringing it up into the crease as well. Then I blended the deep coral into my crease. I really like the way the deep coral shade interacts with other colors. On top of the baby pink it looks more like a hot pink, though not as neon as my lip color.

Using the smokey black shade I created a faux tri-lash at the outer corner of my eye. I dusted the pearly pink along my brow bones and inner corners. While the rest of these colors are extremely versatile in regards to where you put them, the pearly shade is undeniably best suited as a brow highlight.

Other Necessities:

Urban Decay’s 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil in Black Velvet–such a deeply pigmented black liner. It really makes the look pop.

Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in Unapologetic–a beautiful, borderline neon pink matte shade. And the staying power is amazing. I have several products from this range and love them all.

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For the other look, I drew inspiration from Marvel’s X-Men. I am beyond ready for Days of Future Past  to hit the screens, so to stave off the anxiety of waiting I created a look with the second half of the palette. The blue tones with yellow accent color instantly reminded me of the classic X-Men uniforms.

One of my favorite graphic cut-out tanks.

One of my favorite graphic cut-out tanks.

I believe I got this tank at Papaya last year. It’s such a great item for summer because the cut-out arms give you breezy freedom. I’ve been wearing it a lot recently as the heat picks up here in Southern California.

Beautiful, bright blues with a yellow accent.

Beautiful, bright blues with a yellow accent.

You can really see the connection between the tank and the colors. Of all eight shades, the teal is the most pigmented in the palette. You really have to pack on the yellow to get to this golden sheen, but it’s worth the work. At first I was intimidated by these brights, but after creating this look, I cannot wait to play with them some more.

Epic superhero stare into the distance.

Epic superhero stare into the distance.

Easily the most extreme wing I've ever done.

Easily the most extreme wing I’ve ever done.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just like with the first look, I started with the second shade from the top, in this case the teal. I brushed the teal color all over my lid, up into the crease in a dome shape, which helped enhance the cartoon-like feel. Using a shader brush I gently blended the royal blue tone into the crease, maintaining the rounded dome. Using the deep blue shade I built a wing the reached mid temple. I had to pack this shade on to get the shape just right. Then I pulled the deep blue into the crease about three-quarters of the way in to the lid. There was a lot of trial and error for this wing, but I like the way it turned out.

To finish the look, I brushed the yellow/gold shade along the inner curve between my brow bone and the bridge of the nose. I also packed on the color under the lower lashes as a liner. I highly recommend using a liquid liner on your top lash line since liquid liners are so dramatic. I took the black liner to the tip of the wing to emphasize the length.

Other Necessities:

L’Oreal Telescopic Precision Waterproof Liner–this is the only liquid liner I own and it’s staying that way.

Maybelline Falsies Mascara in Blackest Black–at first I was skeptical about the promises of this product, but I’m now a believer.

Revlon Lip Butter in Candy Apple–a lovely, moisturizing, semi-sheer blue red balm.

Overall, I’m quite pleased with this palette. These two looks are just skimming the surface of what you could create with these eight shades. At just $4.99 from your local drugstore, the Poster Child palette from Wet n’ Wild is a must have for summer.

What’s In My Travel Bag?

/ caitlinemccann / 4 Comments

I just got back from a weekend at home in St. Louis, Missouri for my grandparent’s 50th anniversary. It was a really special weekend for my family, since we rarely can get all of us together. Congratulations, Grandma and Grandpa! And of course, it was Mother’s Day too. Love ya, Mamma!

When I do weekends away, I usually try to minimize my makeup to the essentials. My makeup had to suit going to church service, family photos, and Sunday brunch. All slightly fancy things.

So here is a peek into my makeup bag from a weekend home.

It may not look like it, but believe me this is minimalist makeup packing for me.

It may not look like it, but believe me this is minimalist makeup packing for me.

There are some good ole’ drugstore basics here like an Oral-B toothbrush in a $1.00 travel case, my travel size Degree Women’s deodorant, my Venus razor, and my Target up & up makeup remover wipes.

Makeup wise there are also some drugstore goodies. All of mine were purchased at my local Walgreens. Two of them, I have already mentioned in previous posts: the Rimmel Scandaleyes Nude Kohl eyeliner and the Wet n’ Wild Eye Shadow Primer in For my Primas.

The other two drugstore goodies are the Revlon Age Defying CC Cream in Light and Maybelline 24 Hr Color Tattoo in Sunwashed Sky. I am obsessed with these two products. The Revlon CC Cream is so light and natural looking, I can even use it without a primer. Plus it has SPF so I can leave the house quickly and feel confident that I look good and am being kind to my skin. The limited edition Color Tattoo is quickly becoming one of my favorite bases. Post-primer, I glide Sunwashed Sky over my lids and it works as a single shadow look or blends beautifully with grays or purples.

I also brought a single shadow stick from City Color’s Bronzy Shadow Pencils Pack. The shade is Charcoal Grey and is super blendable. I love using this creamy pencil along my crease over Sunwashed Sky. Which is why I brought my Bare Minerals Crease Brush with me. Soft, circular motions blend the cream shadows together for an easy, stunning smokey eye.

Urban Decay’s Naked Palette was a valuable addition to my travel bag. I used the shade Buck to fill in my brows. Then I used Half Baked, a shimmery golden shade, on my lid, and Smog, an olive-y brown with shimmer, on the crease. There are endless looks with these Naked palettes, which is what makes them so perfect for traveling. Even though I appreciate that the palette comes with a brush, I like having a variety of choices. So, I also brought a Sephora travel brush set. My Mom got these for me years ago, but there is still a comparable set available. Let me tell you, it got a ton of use this weekend.

Ever since it arrived in last month’s ipsy bag, I’ve been loving my Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide On Eyeliner in Black Velvet. It goes on smooth and makes even a novice beauty lover look like a pro. I’ve written about this product more than once, so I’ll just let it be awesome all on its own.

Then there is the Pond’s Clarant B3 Moisturizer. This little travel size product is packed full of vitamins and helps correct dark spots. My skin feels petal soft when I put this on for the night. At home, I don’t use it every night but it is in my rotation.

Another recent obsession is my Ulta Extreme Wear Mousse Blush in Peach Glow. I had never used a cream or mousse formula blush before. Consider me a convert because this is the best thing ever. It glides on, feels silky smooth, and actually lasts all day. For my fair complexion the peach shade gives a natural-looking healthy glow. Then I would dot my sample size of Benefit’s Highbeam along my cheek bones for extra sheen.

For lips, I brought my go-to basic, Clinque’s Chubby Stick in Curviest Caramel. The perfect warm neutral shade that goes with any look. More lipstick than gloss, but there is a nice buttery texture that leaves your lips happy.

P.S. The bag is from a limited edition Carolina Herrera set that were at Target a few years ago. The set has three different patterns and three different sizes, all reminiscent of 1920’s art deco. The set was a gift, but you could probably still find it on eBay.

That may sound like a long list, but I promise this is me packing light.

If you’re interested in me doing a full product review of any of the makeup I took on my trip, please let me know in the comments.