Friday, January 18, 2013

Finished in 2012- Mascara


2012 must have been the year of mascara for me. I finished or gave up on a few of them last year. There were some hits and misses. Some of the mascaras I have already repurchased once or twice. I definitely think mascara has been one of my favorite products to use in 2012. I have a mixture of drugstore and high-end mascaras but I want to start with the mascaras that are the most accessible and end with the high-end.

Maybelline Mega Plush Volum’ Express in Very Black
I have always been a big fan of Maybelline mascaras and this one did not disappoint me too much. I really liked the shape of the brush. It is larger brush but I still felt like it coated my lashes very well. However, it did have a couple of downsides. The brush itself is very flexible and at times it almost felt too flexible and I always ended up with mascara on my eyelid. Also, it dried out really quickly. I had this mascara the least amount of time and I felt like it was done in no time. Towards the end of its life I used the mascara as a base. I would apply a coat of it and then add another coat of different mascara. Overall it wasn’t a bad product but I definitely wouldn’t repurchase it.
My score: 6/10

Rimmel London Volume Accelerator in 001 Black
I will make this short and sweet, I hated this mascara. It is supposed to make your lashes fuller but all it did was clump. I don’t mind when mascara is slightly clumpy but this just looked awful. I rarely used it and finally had to give it up because it was getting older and I never reached for it. I had high hopes too because I really liked the shape of the brush.
My score: 4/10


L’Oreal Double Extend Lash Boosting Mascara in Blackest Black
I have been using this mascara for a couple of years now and I have really enjoyed using the eyelash primer before the mascara. I really did make a difference but after a month or two it just doesn’t work as well and I just stopped reaching for it. I had to give up on it because I had it for so long and never used it.  It just got to the point where even if I wanted to use it, I probably shouldn’t because of how long I had it. I really prefer the brush on the mascara end over the brush for the primer. I felt like the primer brush was too small to coat my lashes. I haven’t decided if or when I will repurchase this mascara. Right now I have others that I love so much more.
My Score: 7/10


Maybelline One by One Volum’ Express in Very Black.
So I have finally found my Holy Grail drugstore mascara. It is amazing. The brush reminds me of rubber and I know that sounds really weird but it works so well. It really does coat each lash perfectly and I love using it each day. I have already repurchased it a couple of times and I don’t see myself not purchasing it again. I have two ways I use the mascara: on its own or as base for my Holy Grail high-end mascara. I love the waterproof formula as well. This mascara lasts such a long time and even when it is drying out; it still looks great on the eyes! I cannot imagine liking another drugstore mascara more.
My score: 9/10


Ulta Lash Blow Out Mascara in Jet Black
I absolutely, positively HATE the brush on the mascara. It’s awful and so hard to work with. I didn’t even bother to finish this mascara. The formula wasn’t great but I don’t think it would have mattered because the brush would have made any formula unworkable. Thankfully this mascara came with something else I bought so I didn’t actually go out and buy it. But now I know I never will!
My Score: 1/10


Benefit They’re Real Mascara
I originally bought this mascara because I kept hearing how great it was and how well it worked. It is not a cheap mascara but I decided it had to be worth it so I gave in and bought it. I regretted my decision for the first few weeks. I didn’t like it. I didn’t understand the hype. I felt like I just wasted loads of money on it. I stopped using it for about a month before I tried it again. I was extremely surprised how much better it worked once it dried out a little. It coated nicely and gave me lots of volume and length. I used it until I couldn’t possibly get anything else out of it. I really liked the brush on it. The bristles are actually pretty short but it worked well.  I don’t think I will repurchase this product again though. If I am going to splurge on mascara from Benefit, I would much rather buy the Benefit Bad Gal Lash mascara. Plus, I don’t want to wait a month or two for it to dry out so I can use it.
My Score: 8/10


Tarte Lights, Cameras, Lashes
I don’t even know where to start with this mascara. It is by far my all-time favorite mascara. This mascara came with my Tarte True Blood palette and I really didn’t think to use it right away. Once I did, I fell in love with it. I tried to use it sparingly because I wanted it to last as long as possible. It is a smaller brush but it works so well with my lashes. I usually use a couple of coats of it and I really like how it doesn’t make my lashes look too clumpy but I like when a mascara is a tiny bit clumpy because I feel like it gives it some volume. My favorite way to use this mascara is over a coat of my Maybelline One by One mascara. I know it sounds weird but mixing the two creates the perfect mascara for me. It is great on its own too. I have already bought a full size of it and I have a travel one as well. At this time, I don’t feel the need to purchase another high-end mascara. I love the one I got! The only downside is that it does flake slightly during the day but not enough to be extremely noticeable or to stop me from using it.
My Score:  9.5/10

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Finished in 2012- Foundations


Products I finished in 2012

Foundations:

I mentioned Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation in my previous post about foundations (Here is the link: http://beautyandme0607.blogspot.com/2012/04/foundations-why-cant-there-be-one-just.html). I finally finished the bottle not long after the post. I was not happy with this foundation at all. The coverage and staying power were fine; it just looked awful on my skin. I had the color Shell 15. It is the lightest color they make. It was too dark and I believe it oxidized slightly. It just didn’t work for me. I cannot explain how badly I needed and wanted it to. I think this would work fine if you had a darker skin tone than I do. Just make sure to work quickly when applying it. It dries fast and it is a mother to fix any mistakes. It wasn’t the worst product ever made but I will not be repurchasing the product.
My Score: 5/10


I finished Revlon Colorstay for Combination/Oily Skin in 110 Ivory back in May This is another product that is hard to work with and I mentioned it in the previous blog post as well (the link is above). Once again, I will not repurchase this particular product. I prefer the formula for normal skin.
My Score: 5/10

***I must have already tossed the bottle so I am not able to insert the picture here***

The foundation I have probably bought the most out of any foundation has been L’Oreal True Match foundation in W1- Porcelain. I really like how light this foundation is on the skin and how easy it is to blend. It matches well with my skin but I wish it had more coverage and staying power throughout the day. I have already repurchased another but I haven’t been reaching for it as much over the past few months.
My Score: 7/10


A product that I have really grown to love over the past 6 months has been CoverGirl AquaSmooth foundation in Ivory. It is too dark to wear on its own but when mixed with a white liquid foundation it looks great on the skin. It is still a little too dark and pink toned for my skin but I love the way it feels on my skin and it has good staying power throughout the day. It works best when it is applied with a Beauty Blender Sponge.
My Score: 7/10


So I finally bought the foundation I had wanted to try for months and it has become one of my favorite and most used foundations. I absolutely love Nars Sheer Glow foundation in Siberia. This foundation matches my extremely fair skin better than any foundation I have tried. It has a slight yellow tone that works well with my skin. The only drawback is that it goes quick and the staying power could be better. I still haven’t found a foundation that is a 100% perfect but this one comes really close. I have already repurchased it and I will purchase it again.
My Score: 8/10


I am still looking for the perfect tinted moisturizer that matches well with my skin. For the past couple of years my go to tinted moisturizer has been Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Oil Free formula in Porcelain. I really do like this product but it doesn’t provide a lot of coverage but it is buildable. The color is a little dark for my skin tone but I can make it work on days I go to the gym or in the summer. On the plus side, a little goes a long way. I have repurchased this product as well but once I finish the second tube I will probably try a more affordable brand.
My Score: 6/10


I will be back soon with more products I finished in 2012!

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Blush Collection



I love blush. It is not my favorite makeup product but I always enjoy picking out a color to wear for the day. I am so fair and I am not able to go without blush. Sometimes, the right shade can boost your confidence and make you feel unstoppable. I love every blush I own and I wanted to share them all with you. I was inspired by my previous post and I really wanted to show the colors of the blushes. I am not going to go into an in depth review but I will give some thoughts on each. So let’s get this show on the road.

MAYBELLINE FIT ME in LIGHT PINK
I have been reaching for this color quite a bit lately. It gives a very natural flush to the skin and I have been really enjoying it. It is very sheer but buildable.


MAYBELLINE FIT ME in LIGHT NUDE

This is the perfect blush for the days I do want a lot of color on the face especially if I have a lot going on with the eyes or lips. I really like this brand of blushes and I would definitely repurchase them!



ELF- PEACHY KEEN
I love the shimmer in this blush. It looks great on my skin but I do need to use a light hand when I apply it because it can build up quickly and become too intense for my fair skin.



ELF- CANDID CORAL
At first glance, this could almost be an exact dupe for NARS Orgasm but I actually think this color is a little more intense and slightly more pigmented. Once again, I have to use a light hand when I use it.



ELF- TICKLED PINK

I love this color. It is the perfect pink blush. It goes really well with my skin tone and looks great once it is thoroughly blended out.



ULTA CHEEK COLOR- FAME
Don’t let this color fool you. It looks really dark but it is amazing. I reach for it all the time. It also smells delicious.  A little goes a long way!


NARS- DOUCEUR

I love this color. It is definitely a favorite of many beauty gurus. I find that I have use a light hand with this color but it looks amazing on and I will be repurchasing!



NARS- ORGASM

Everyone knows about this color so I want say too much. Surprisingly, it is not my favorite blush color by Nars but I still enjoy it.



NARS- PENNY LANE
I love this crème blush. It is AMAZING! I have hit pan already. I love the natural flush it gives me. I wear it all the time during the summer. It is the perfect color for me and I wish it came in a powder form as well since crème blushes do not last very long on my skin. It is definitely a HOLY GRAIL product.



MAC- DAME


A great color for fair skin girls. It is by far my favorite pink blush.



MAC MINERALIZE SKINFINISH- BY CANDLELIGHT  LE


Why oh why does this color have to be a limited edition? It is so gorgeous on the skin. It can be used as a highlighter or a blush. I regret not buying a back of this color because I may just cry when it is gone.



MAYBELLINE DREAM MOUSSE- PEACH SATIN 20
I don’t reach for this very often but it is a very pretty shade and it has a subtle shimmer throughout.



MAYBELLINE DREAM MOUSSE- PINK FROSTING 10


Once again, I am not sure why I don’t wear this very often. The color is very pigmented and beautiful. Must starting wearing it again!



BARE MINERALS- KISS


Another color I should be wearing. I forget how beautiful it is. I love it.



BARE MINERALS- PURE RADIANCE 

I love this color on the cheeks but also as a highlight. The shimmer in it is amazing and it so good on the skin.



NYX- DARK SHADOWS PALETTE

I haven’t had a chance to really test these out yet but I thought I would provide the swatches for the colors so you all can see what they look like.

I have also decided to include swatches of my bronzers. My favorite bronzer right now is FLIRT! in Nude Envy. I do not wear bronzers very often but this color suits my skin tone perfectly. It works great for contouring when I am not too lazy to do it.



FLIRT! 07 NUDE ENVY WARM

MAYBELLINE FIT ME- MEDIUM BRONZE



MAYBELLINE FIT ME- LIGHT BRONZE


RIMMEL NATURAL BRONZER- 027 SUN DANCE



Here is a picture of all the swatches. My camera does not show the true color of the swatches and did take a picture of each in different lighting.




Please let me know if you have any questions about these products or if you would like to see how they look on my skin. Thanks for reading and until next time…

~L