October Favorites (no flunkies!)

 Please excuse my tardiness in posting this month's favorites a few days late. I have been insanely busy this month (such is the life of a grad student), and thus my makeup routine has really simplified. My main concerns have been concealing dark under eye circles and adding some color to my cheeks to mask just how sleep deprived and crazy I feel. These past few weeks I have forgone eyeshadow almost completely, but have discovered that the trick to fooling people that your look is really put together is a quick swipe of red or berry lipstick! No flunkies to report this month, because I have really buckled down on spending.

Yes to Tomatoes Daily Balancing Moisturizer

Using this again after a few months of being out has reminded me of why I adore this moisturizer so. It is a must for oily skinned folks, but is moisturizing enough to suit normal skin as well. This soaks in quickly, making for a great morning moisturizer. Read my full review here.

Maybelline Dream Matte Powder in Sand

Bloggers the world wide web over have raved about this product, so when my last setting powder was nothing but pan I picked up this budget friendly powder. I have been really impressed so far- it sets my foundation without making me look cakey, and adds a little extra coverage on days when I opt for just a tinted moisturizer. I still need to blot every once in a while and I don't think this is heavy-duty enough for my super oily summer skin, but for the cooler months it is fitting the bill. Review coming soon.

Revlon SuperLustrous Lipsticks in Black Cherry & Really Red (matte)

There is no better time than autumn to bust out the berry lippies, and this month Black Cherry has been my pick. I picked this up because I heard this vampy, glossy burgundy red shade is a MAC Media dupe, and I have been loving this for evening looks. During the day, I have been gravitating towards Really Red, a true red matte shade, for a clean and classic pop of color. See Really Red in a lineup of some of the other Revlon matte shades here.

Maybelline SuperStay Makeup in Natural Beige

A friend of mine passed this along to me after she accidentally selected a shade too dark for her, and this baby has been sitting in my makeup collection untouched and unloved since then. Now that the weather is cooling off, my typically oily skin is balancing out (dare I say it is almost normal?!) so this foundation has replaced my usual matte finish formulas. SuperStay is a creamy, natural finish foundation with a great wear time.

NYX Cream Blush in Natural

Last month the shade Boho Chic made it on to my favorites, but this month I have really been reaching for Natural. It is a no-brainer shade that goes with every look, and it gives me that 'I'm alive although I only got 2 hours of sleep' flush that I need. Check out swatches of this shade and other NYX Cream Blushes here.

wet N wild ColorIcon Eyeliner Pencil in White

To keep my tired peepers looking bright, I have been applying this liner to my lower waterline. There are tons of white liners on the market, but this one is creamy, easy to apply, opaque, and best yet, super cheap! It also was essential in my Adele inspired look.

Urban Decay Glide-On 24/7 Eyeliner in Whiskey (on double-ended liner from Naked Palette)

Since I have been enjoying more natural and subtle eye looks this month, brown eyeliner has been an October staple. I loved it so much, in fact, that I used it all up!

Zoya Yara (not pictured above)

I am usually not into green that much, but this polish blew me away. How could you not love this olive green with gold flakies?! It was also a perfect base for my Frankenstein nail design. 

What have you been loving this month?

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Posted in Favorites and Flunkies , Maybelline , NYX , Revlon , Urban Decay , Wet n Wild , Yes to Tomatoes , Zoya

Review: Wet n Wild Glassy Glosses

A while back the kind people at Wet n Wild sent me these Glassy Glosses for consideration. I believe this range was released in the summer, but there is certainly no reason why these gorgeous glosses can't be enjoyed all year round. These are available at most WnW retailers for $2.99 a pop.

The packaging of these glosses is really up to personal preference. I know some people only like glosses with wand applicators, but I really adore the tubes with the slant applicators. These remind me of the Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush tubes at the fraction of the price. I like the tube packaging because I can just pop one in my pocket if need be.

These glosses have a tropical fruit flavor- think melon and pineapple. It isn't overwhelming, plastic-y, or sickly sweet like some glosses.

The three shades I have to share, which are all cleverly named, are Mow the Glass, This Too Shall Glass, and Glass Confusion. 

 Mow the Glass is a sheer melon coral gloss without shimmer or glitter. Applied, it leaves a very 'wet', juicy look to the lip. There is not a lot of color pay off here, but it does brighten up your lips a touch more than a simple clear gloss would. I love to layer this over coral lipsticks to add some high shine.

 This Too Shall Glass is a dusty baby doll pink loaded with pink, gold, and silver shimmer. While the color is certainly not opaque, this will mute out your lips just a touch and give your kisser a light pink tint. Of the three glosses, this is my favorite to wear alone. It really compliments dark, dramatic eye looks.

Glass Confusion is pink mauve with a touch of berry. Like This Too Shall Glass, it is jam packed with shimmer. As we move into Fall, I can see myself using this gloss more and more. As the darkest of the three glosses, this one has the greatest color payoff. 

The formula of these is pretty thick (they are called "gels" after all), but I think they have an almost creamy feel on the lips. I personally don't find them overly sticky. In fact, these are pretty moisturizing. I find they last for  2 hours or so before I feel the need to reapply.

As the range name suggests, the claim to fame for these glosses is that they are glassy- that means high shine and loads of shimmer. In this respect, I would say that these glosses live up to their name!

L-R: Mow the Glass, This Too Shall Glass, Glass Confusion

This product was sent to me for consideration by PR. I am not being paid or compensated for this review. My review, as always, represents my experience alone with the product and is 100% honest.

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Posted in Wet n Wild

Review: Wet n Wild Juicy Lip Balms with SPF 15

The kind people at Wet n Wild sent me their new line of Juicy Lip Balms with SPF 15. These are a summer release, but there is no reason why they can't be loved all year round! These are only available at CVS and cost $2.99 a pop.

As makeup junkies, many of us are obsessed with packaging. While the packaging on these balms may not scream sophistication, I really love these big fat tubes! The over sized and bright colored packaging is really fun and youthful.

 I was worried that these would have a very synthetic taste but these are actually quite good. They taste like the yummy lip balms from my middle school days without the plasticy flavor. I especially love Cherry, which perfectly embodies the classic cherry lip balm flavor. 

These come in four flavors: Cherry, Watermelon, Raspberry, and Strawberry

 Regarding performance, these fare pretty well. I do feel that the balm is moisturizing, and I love the fact that these also have SPF 15. I do find that the balm wears away quickly (but this might be because they are so tasty!), leaving me with the desire to reapply frequently. If you are in the need for some intensive hydration these won't cut it, but these are nice to throw into your bag for a quick dose of moisture.

My favorite thing about these balms is that they are actually tinted! Each shade provides a kiss of juicy color to the lips. The color is sheer and subtle, like you just finished a Popsicle. Also, the balm glides on easily and imparts a nice juicy, glossy finish to the lips. Cherry and Raspberry have the prettiest tint, while Strawberry looks like a clear gloss on my lips. Watermelon, however, does leave a slight green sheen behind as you can see in the arm swatch below. If I wear Watermelon out in public, I top it with a gloss to cancel out the green tint!

While these won't replace my more hydrating, intensive care lip balms, these are fun balms that pack a surprising punch of juicy color.

This product was sent to me for consideration by PR. My review, as always, represents my experience alone with the product and is 100% honest.

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Posted in Lip Balm , Wet n Wild

August Favorites & Flunkies

 August came and went more quickly than I would have liked, and we are now officially into September. Nonetheless, I am getting excited for autumn, but the summer heat is still blasting in my neck of the woods. August was a relatively uninspired month for me, in terms of makeup. I could be seen sporting either dark, dramatic lids with a nude or even bare lips, or a bold lip with a minimalist, mascara-only eye. I didn't haul much either. I spent most of my summer incredibly tight on money, and when I did finally get some extra cash to play with I found that nothing really peaked my interest.  I do have a Cherry Culture order on its way though!

Here are the goodies I have been reaching for this month, as well as two flunkies. Also, please forgive me for the photos. I have been fighting with Blogger to rotate them, but I gave up after the third round of editing and resizing the pictures. Sorry!

Urban Decay Naked Palette 

Once again, this much adored palette makes it onto my monthly favorites list. However, this month I gave some love to the four shadows that I usually neglect the most. Toasted and Hustle, with their purple undertones, paired together made for a gorgeous, updated brown lid, and Creep and Gunmetal helped me create some gorgeous smokey eyes. Creep is also my go-to shade for setting liner now.

wet N wild Color Icon Palette in Comfort Zone

When I have opted for more neutral eyes this month, I have been reaching for the first two shades in this awesome, budget friendly palette. The first shade is a shimmer yellow beige and the second is a shimmery orange peach.

The palette also includes this amazing shadow, a brown/red/green multichrome, that makes for a simple and multidimensional dramatic lid or an interesting liner setting shade. I suspect this is very similar to MAC's Club, but since I don't own it I can't officially say how dupe-worthy it is. Regardless, it is a unique, high quality shadow.

Revlon Color Burst Lipstick in Soft Nude

Nude lipstick perfection. After seeing this on multiple blogs, I picked this gem up and couldn't be happier. It is my perfect pinky nude- my lips looks muted, but not dead. And it is budget-friendly. Holla!

MAC Musky Amethyst

I fall in love with this lipstick every time I use it- it balances red and plum in a wearable way. It has been a really versatile shade for me as well: a few dabs and it serves as a subtle lip stain, or a proper application makes for a gorgeous statement lip.

MAC Viva Glam Gaga 2 Lipglass

When I am at work I do not have time to touch up my lipstick, so this opaque nude gloss has been a savior. I can tuck it into my pocket and reapply whenever I feel the need, allowing my look to remain polished and fresh looking. I don't like this on its own so much, but it is great to layer over or revitalize nude lipstick.

LORAC Multiplex 3D Lip Gloss in 3D

I received this deluxe sample in a Sephora kit, and I really adore it. 3D is a rose bronze shade with multicolored shimmer. The look of this on the lips is almost metallic.  I love to layer this on top of MAC Musky Amethyst.

NYX Lip Liner in Rose

In August I rediscovered lip liner, and I can't believe I have been wearing lipstick without it. I have a few of these NYX liners and am impressed with the quality of all of them, but I have been reaching for Rose, a light pink, most often. The formula is a bit dry, but the pencil doesn't drag on my lips and it makes my lipstick last a lot longer.

Benefit Erase Paste in No. 2

 This concealer was a rediscovery for me. After sitting unloved in my makeup drawer, I dragged it back out and have been using it almost daily. I realized that I didn't love it before this summer because it was too dark for my skin, thus emphasizing dark circles. Now that I have a bit of a tan, it works like a dream.

John Frieda Sheer Blonde Shampoo & Conditioner

I broke my vow to use only natural shampoo and conditioner this month. Although the overall condition of my hair is good, my blonde locks were looking dull. This duo has really revitalized the appearance of my hair: after just two week I notice my hair is shinier and less brassy.

My homemade sea spray

Water, a bit of salt, and a few drops of coconut oil in a little spray bottle make for a great sea spray. A few mists on my dry hair emphasizes my natural waves and adds some texture. Try it out!

Flunkies....

blinc Mascara

I received this in my most recent (and last...but more on that in a future post) Birchbox. Initially I was really intrigued by this mascara, which creates tubes around your lashes. Although removing it is super easy and mess-free (the tubes just slide off with warm water), this is a really natural looking mascara. I need more volume and length, so the novelty of the "tubing" isn't enough to sell me.

Estée Lauder Double Matte Foundation

My hunt for my HG foundation brought me to the Estee Lauder counter, where the sales associate offered me a sample of Double Wear and Double Matte. Double Matte, contrary to what the name suggests, doesn't provide a long wearing matte finish. Even with primer and powder, my oily skin was in its full glory halfway through the day. Read my full review of Double Matte and Double Wear here.

What have you been loving this month? Any regretful purchases?

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Posted in Benefit , blinc , Estee Lauder , Favorites and Flunkies , Hair Care , John Frieda , Lorac , MAC , NYX , Revlon , Urban Decay , Wet n Wild

May Favorites & Flunkies

Since Project 10 Pan I have really buckled down on my spontaneous spending and hauling. As such, I don't have a ton of favorites to share. Some are products I rediscovered gems in my preexisting collection, while others are new finds that I researched before purchasing. Unfortunately, a few I got a few flunkies this month, and all are products that I did not research before I threw them in my cart. I am slowly learning my lesson to be a conscious, educated consumer.

First, the favs:

•  Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat- I usually only have time to do my nails in the evening, and before this product I had problems with my polish denting as I slept. Seche Vite may smell awful, but it performs as promised. My lacquer is dry in around 5 minutes and has a glassy, hard finish. My only complaint is that I experience some shrinkage with some polishes where Seche Vite pulls away from the tips of my nails as it drys. This is only with some polishes, and I can live with it.
• Wet n Wild Color Icon Trio in Sweet as Candy- This is a foolproof trio of shadows that is great for when you are in a rush or just want a simple, natural eye look. The colors themselves are not necessarily unique, but that is okay- they make sense together, are soft and pigmented, and a real bargain. Check out the FOTD I created with this trio.
• Physicians Formula Powder Palette Mineral Glow Pearls in Translucent Pearl- I wouldn't have picked this up at full price, but I had a few CVS extra bucks and Physicians Formula was having a sale so in the cart it went. I had read a few rave reviews on these Mineral Glow Pearls, and it did not disappoint. This is a beautiful soft pinky beige highlight that I will be using a lot this summer when I want glowy skin. It is quite shimmery though, so apply with a gentle hand.  
•  E.L.F. Cream Eyeliner in Black- This also made it into last month's favs. I use this everyday, though it is particularly awesome for creating a winged liner look. It is creamy and pigmented, but dries quickly. This never creases onto my lid and literally lasts all day. I don't know how this compares to other brands (like the Loreal Hip one, MAC fluidline, or the Wet n Wild gel liner), but I am really happy with this. 
• fresh Citron de Vignre Eau de Parfum- I have mentioned elsewhere that I have difficulty finding fragrances that I like because I am generally turned off by feminine floral scents and unfortunately most women's perfumes fall into that category. I found this perfume at Sephora and it is absolutely divine! It smells like sangria- citrusy and spicy with notes of red wine. It is a very unique scent and I have been wearing it all month.
• NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk- I don't really have anything new to say about this cult favorite that hasn't already been said. It is a creamy white that has worked as an awesome base for most all of my May eye looks.
• Stila Bronzing Tinted Moisturizer- I picked this up in a mini haul recently from Nordstrom Rack and have been really enjoying it. I wear it alone, or mix it with my regular tinted moisturizer or with a dab of my foundation if I want more coverage. This doesn't make my oily skin freak out, and it gives me a nice subtle bronzed glow. I wore it in a couple FOTDs this moth, like this one here.
• Neutrogena Pure & Free Baby Sunblock Lotion SPF 60+- Sunblock should be a staple in your skincare routine year round, but I am guilty of forgetting it most mornings. However, as the sun starts to come out more this Spring I have been making an earnest effort to remember it. I opted for a baby sunblock because they tend to have more naturally derived and gentle ingredients and to have higher SPFs. I mix a pea sized amount of this creamy sunblock into my moisturizer in the morning and have been really surprised by how non-greasy this leaves my face. Usually sunblock leaves me feeling like an oil slick, but this soaks in nicely and I can apply my makeup soon after. And the classic sunblock smell, which I am not fond of, is mild.

 Now, for the flunkies:

•  Sinful Colors Nail Art- I picked these up in a Walgreens haul at the beginning of the month. I was totally lulled in by the cheap price tag and stellar colors. However, I should have known better; since these are neon shades, they apply very sheer and thus don't make for very good nail art designs. Bummer. 
• Maybelline Define-a-Brow Pencil in Light Blonde- I have been on the hunt for a good brow pencil, and this one actually matches the color of my brows nicely. However, everything else about this is pretty crappy in my opinion. I though that I would like that it was an automatic pencil, but it is not self-sharpening so the tip is flat making for imprecise application. Also, if you twist it too much, the product crumbles very easily when applying it. 

So there are my favorites and flunkies of May. What are you loving and regretting?

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Posted in E.L.F. , Favorites and Flunkies , fresh , Maybelline , Neutrogena , NYX , Physicians Formula , Seche Vite , Sinful Colors , Stila , Wet n Wild

Fierce Femme Face of the Day: Wet n Wild Color Icon Trio in Sweet as Candy

This look is similar to the one I posted yesterday, but I have been liking a more no-fuss neutral face recently as the weather is warming up.

What I used:

I can't flip the pic right side up...wtf?

Face
Revlon ColorStay in Warm Golden
Sephora Perfecting Tinted Mousturizer in Medium Peach
Tarte Smooth Clay Amazonian Clay Illuminating Serum
Revlon PhotoReady Concealer in Light Medium
Sephora Sculpting Disk (setting powder)
E.L.F. Golden Bronzer
CoverGirl Professional Natural Lash Mascara in Clear (for brows)

Cheeks
Hard Candy Blush Crush Baked Blush in Living Doll
Lorac Perfectly Lit Oil-Free Luminizing Powder in Spotlight

Lips
NYX Slim Lip Pencil in Rose
Revlon Super Lustrous Matte Lipstick in Sky Pink

Eyes
Urban Decay Primer Potion in Original
NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk (as base)
Wet n Wild Color Icon Trio in Sweet as Candy
CoverGirl Line Exact Liquid Liner Pen in Black
Loreal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black (top lashes first coat)
Revlon Grow Luscious in Blackest Black (top lashes second and third coat; bottom lashes)

I used the Wet n Wild trio as the packaging suggested, with the soft white as a brow bone and inner corner highlight, the baby pink on the lid, and the soft mink brown in the crease. Although the taupe shade in the Silent Treatment trio is amazing, overall I like the Wet n Wild Color Icon trio in Sweet as Candy better. The color combo may not be the most unique but it is foolproof and easy for everyday wear. The shadows were soft, shimmery, pigmented and all of them are easily blended. Although individually they didn't blow me out of the water, I didn't have a problem with any of them and they make a nice trio.

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Posted in Fierce Femme Face of the Day , Wet n Wild

Fierce Femme Face of the Day: Wet n Wild Color Icon Trio in Silent Treatment

No big pop of color here- just a wearable neutral look with pink nude lips and slightly smokey taupe eyes. Quick and easy for everyday.

What I used:

Face
Revlon ColorStay in Warm Golden
Sephora Perfecting Tinted Mousturizer in Medium Peach
Tarte Smooth Clay Amazonian Clay Illuminating Serum
Revlon PhotoReady Concealer in Light Medium
Sephora Sculpting Disk (setting powder)
CoverGirl Professional Natural Lash Mascara in Clear (for brows)
Cheeks 
Maybelline Expert Wear Blush in Precious Pink
E.L.F. Shimmering Facial Whip in Lilac Petal (cheekbone highlight)
Lorac Perfectly Lit Oil-Free Luminizing Powder in Spotlight (to set E.L.F. cream highlighter)

Eyes
Urban Decay Primer Potion in Original
NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk (as base)
Wet n Wild Color Icon Trio in Silent Treatment
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-on Eyeliner Pencil in Zero
Loreal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black (top lashes first coat)
Revlon Grow Luscious in Blackest Black (top lashes second and third coat; bottom lashes)

Lips
NYX Slim Lip Pencil in Rose
Revlon Super Lustrous Matte Lipstick in Nude Attitude
Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Peach Petal 

To create this look, I used Wet n Wild's Color Icon Trio in Silent Treatment. I had read some great reviews on these shadows, and for $2.99 it was worth the risk. I followed the palette design and used the light shimmery peachy shade as a highlight, used the bottom taupe on my lid, and a touch of the glittery dark brown in my crease. The star of this trio is definitely the taupe color, which is soft and nicely pigmented. The brown crease color is beautiful when swatched, but sadly the gold glitter doesn't transfer well to the lid. It is still a useable shadow, but a bit of a let down from when I expected from it in the pan.

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Posted in Fierce Femme Face of the Day , Wet n Wild

Haul: Wet n Wild Color Icon, Sinful Colors Nail Art, & Seche Vite

With Project 10 Pan behind me, I celebrated the end of my no-buy with a few drug store picks that I have had my eye on. I don't think any of these products are new, but they are new to me :)

I love Urban Decay eye shadows, but not their price tag. Their palettes are generally a steal, but I would have to really be obsessed with a shade to spend $17 on a single shadow. However, more affordable drug store brands can be really hit or miss. I had always assumed that because Wet n Wild is dirt cheap that their products would be crap. But the online beauty community has been buzzin' about their shadows, so I picked up a few and am so glad I did. Just from swatching, I can tell they are crazy pigmented, very smooth, and there are a few really unique colors.

I bought the Color Icon collection in Comfort Zone, and Color Icon trios in Spoiled Brat, Silent Treatment, Sweet as Candy, and I'm Getting Sunburned. I intend to do individual looks and reviews on these, so keep an eye out.

I also picked up four Sinful Colors Nail Art polishes in Sunny Day, Me First, Sour Grapes, and Orange Alert. Can you even handle these?!?! These neon babies are going to make some stellar summer manicures, and at $1.99 each I couldn't pass these up.

I might be the last nail polish lover on the planet to pick this up. I usually only have time to do my nails in the evening, and often times I go to bed with what I believe to be dry nails and wake up with a manicure ruined by fabric marks and dents. Hopefully this Seche Vite will cut down my drying time.

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Posted in Haul , Nail Art , Nail Polish , Seche Vite , Sinful Colors , Wet n Wild