Maybelline Color Tattoo-Barely Branded vs Barely Beige

I recently stumbled across the new Maybelline Color Tattoo collection while in a Meijer store.  I decided to go ahead and pick up the two colors that had caught my attention because I know so many others haven't been able to track these down in their area (yet). I didn't want to come back later only to find them sold out. I only really wanted two: Inked In Pink and Barely Branded.   

Because Barely Branded has been suspected to be a dupe for Barely Beige (from their fall collection launch), I wanted to pick it up to compare for myself.  I already have Barely Beige plus a back up, however, curiosity  got the best of me.   I will be posting up a review/my thoughts on Inked In Pink soon, but for now, this is just to compare and discuss Barely Branded

Here, you can see Barely Branded and Barely Beige in their pots, side by side.  It is a bit difficult to tell here, but Barely Branded is slightly more golden champagne in color and Barely Beige is more golden-nude pink. 

Here they are again, but with the lid off so you can see directly in to the product.  You can see I have been using my Barely Beige.  When I took this photo I hadn't used Barely Branded yet (but have since). 

They are extremely close in color, and I don't have a preference between the two.  I enjoy them both.  When I put them on my skin, it is extremely difficult to tell a difference.  The subtle difference (one being warmer and the other being cooler) doesn't show up very strong on the lids.  It just looks like a frosted, nude-champagne kind of color.  

However, I did notice a slight difference in the consistency.  I can remember thinking that Barely Beige was super creamy and smooth when I first got it, and in comparison to some of the original Color Tattoos that were released in the first batch.  I still think it is creamy and smooth.  But, now that I have Barely Branded, I can safely say it is even more creamy than Barely Beige!  It is the best of all of the ones I have tried.   It is easy to apply, blends on well, doesn't skip or create a patchy look on the lids, yet sets up nicely and holds up all day.    It was a dream to work with.

The differences were more noticeable on this swatch while in person.  But, even in person it was extremely close.  

If you don't already own Barely Beige, I think Barely Branded is an excellent one to pick up.  I don't feel as though you'd be missing out in the least.  If you already have Barely Beige, I don't think it is entirely necessary to run out and buy Barely Branded.  That is, of course, unless you are like me and curiosity is encouraging the buy (which I totally understand!).  

My understanding is that, while Barely Beige was limited edition, Barely Branded will become a part of the permanent, core collection. This is good news for all of us who have wanted a good quality, affordable option for cream shadow/eyeshadow base!

It would seem that a lot of places are selling these for between $6-$7 (and some change).  I found mine at Meijer for $5.99.  Since that was the cheapest I had heard of, and the only place, at this point, that I had seen them, I went ahead and bought it.  These should start showing up in some BOGO 1/2 off sales, though, so you can likely get it for cheaper. 

Maybelline Full 'N Soft Mascara

One of my favorite mascaras is Clinique High Impact mascara. I was hoping to find a mascara from the drugstore that would be a good dupe for it.  Wouldn't most of us enjoy a product that is identical (or extremely similar) for a fraction of the price?  I know I do.  So, I started doing a bit of research and most things pointed towards this Maybelline Full 'N Soft mascara.   I read a lot of reviews and decided I was going to give it a shot.

I have to say, it is pretty darned close!  It isn't spot on, but close enough that I will continue to purchase this over the Clinique High Impact Mascara.   

This mascara comes with a more traditional style brush.  It isn't a plastic or rubber bristle.  It has the bristles that twist around it.  This is more to my liking.  I will use some mascaras with the rubber wands, but more often than not, I don't enjoy them.   The traditional styled ones seem to swipe through my lashes better and create a more fluttery lash look.  The brush definitely reminds me a lot of the High Impact one.

This removed extremely easily!  It was a lot like the Clinique in that way, too.  They both will wash off without having to rub a lot or use crazy makeup removers.   I can wet my eyes and most of it will come off right then and there.  With a standard face wash, the rest cleans away.   For that reason, it isn't the best option if you need something to hold up against water, rain, or tears.  99% of the time, however, I want something that will wash away with ease.  

Now, I know some will fear that because it washes away so easily, it won't hold up throughout the day.  I didn't find any flaking away or creating circles under my eyes.  I wore this through several holiday events where I needed my makeup to stay looking fresh until the end.  I want my mascara to look perfect, just like everyone else, until I am ready for it to come off.  This held up absolutely amazing.

While wearing it, my lashes didn't feel brittle or hard.   While this isn't a make-or-break point for me, I know it is for others.  My lashes didn't feel heavy at all. Granted, with any mascara, you are going to know it is there should you take your fingers and touch your lashes, but this was significantly softer than most mascaras out there.  Hence the name, I guess!  HA!

This mascara didn't create a ton of length, but it also doesn't claim to do that.  It does make my lashes very black and full.  I don't have particularly impressive lashes while bare, but this makes them look much thicker. It was also a good layering mascara.  I found that I could layer on a couple of coats without it clumping or looking spider-like.  Further, I played around layering some other mascaras (ones for length, mostly) with this and it worked like a charm. 

I can't recall the exact price, but it wasn't too bad at all.  I do remember noticing it was cheaper than a lot of the mascaras currently on the shelf.  I bought mine from Target, but I'm certain you could find it in nearly any pharmacy/beauty department (CVS, Walgreens, Kmart, Walmart, Etc.)