March 2013 Favorites

Wow!  I haven't done one of these for quite a while, now have I?  It has been something like four months, I think. Ah well.  Anyway, I decided to round up some of the items that I have given quite a bit of love to this past month.

A general listing of items is as follows:

• Coconut oil
• CoverGirl Clump Crusher mascara
• Rimmel Moisture Renew lipstick in Nude Delight
• CoverGirl foundation in 805 Ivory
• Milani blush in Luminoso
• Thierry Mugler Alien EDT
• Physicians Formula quad in Classic Nudes
• Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad To The Bronze
• Maybelline Lash Discovery mascara
• Ulta Automatic liner in Teal Blue
• Wet n Wild palette in Vanity

Something that I forgot to grab for the photograph is

• Essie Van D'Go nail polish

As for the coconut oil, I have been using it for quite a while now and keep buying new jars when I run out.  I have done a post on shaving with coconut oil, and I'm still doing that.  It works better than any other soaps or shave cream I've ever used.  I've also been using it to remove my makeup at the end of the day.  It breaks everything down with extreme ease and is natural.  Win-Win!  Most recently, though, I've been using it in the evening as an intensive eye cream.  I use the tiniest amount on and around my eyes.  Also, I tried using it in a bath one evening.  It feels amazing and once out of the tub, it is still on the body.  It soaks in and you will have the softest skin since infancy!   I have to warn, though, that you shouldn't dunk your hair into the water and not wash it afterwards.  I had showered before taking my bath and didn't bother to avoid getting my hair in the bath water.  When my hair dried, I looked like I hadn't showered in months, it was so filled with coconut oil.  I will admit, I left it.  I wasn't leaving the house, just staying in doing house cleaning.  So, I left it in for 24 hours and washed it out the next night.  Consider it a deep conditioning...HA!  The feel drove me nuts, though, so I did keep it in a bun.

As for my perfume of choice...  I have done a review on my blog about the EDP and said that I wasn't the biggest fan of it.  It isn't that I hate it, but it is quite strong.  Well, the EDT has a very, very similar smell and at first I felt the same way.  However, over the winter I've been using them both and have actually come to really enjoy them.  I've been wearing the ETD the most through March, though. 

The rest of my makeup isn't anything too fancy.  I've been very neutral with my eyes and lips...even cheeks.    However, because of this, I did decide to squeeze in some pretty teal liner several days.  With it having been slipping into spring, I figured I was safe to do a small burst of color.  It is quite lovely on blue eyes.

So, that is it.   My selection of products for the month of March. 

Spring Lip Picks

I decided it would be fun to lay out the colors I will be reaching for this Spring.  Some of these have already found their way into my purse to keep on me while I am out.  With the exception of one, they are all drugstore.  Thus, they are quite affordable!  YAY!

I'm not a huge gloss person, but I LOVE these Revlon glosses.  I wore them a lot last summer, too.  The two I prefer for the warmer weather are Coral Reef and Pink Pop.

These next two are new(ish) in my collection.  Even though Spring just hit, I've already been wearing them a lot.  They are the Maybelline Color Whispers in the colors Pink Up Peach and Coral Ambition.

Next up are a couple of L'Oreal lipsticks.  They are Cotton Pink and Sunset Angora.  I wasn't sure if I'd be able to pull off such a pale pink like Cotton Pink but WOW it is amazing and beautiful!

I'm still over the m oon about the Revlon Balm Stains.  I often find myself reaching for all of the colors I own.  The two I feel I'll be reaching for most often this spring are Cherish and Rendezvous. 

These two aren't from the same brand, but I didn't have two from the same collection to pair....so I just put them together.  Revlon Strawberry Shortcake (another pale pink that is quite wearable) and L'Oreal Summer Rose.  I wore Summer Rose a lot at the end of summer last year.  It lasts nicely on the lips.

These are two more not from the same brand.  They are Maybelline Coral Carnation and Lorac It Girl.  Coral Carnation is that fantastic pop of orange (without being clownish) that is stunning in the spring and It Girl is a long standing favorite of mine.  

None of these are "neutrals" but when I think of spring I think of finally pulling out brighter clothes and makeup and getting away with wearing pops of color on the lips.  All of these are fantastic for that, without being over the top. 

Maybelline Color Tattoo-Inked In Pink

I have had this product for a little while, but I wanted to wear it a couple of times before I gave my thoughts.  This is a new Maybelline Color Tattoo cream eyeshadow in the color Inked In Pink.  It is part of their new Metals Collection.  I only picked up two from this collection.  I purchased Inked In Pink and Barely Branded. (My thoughts on Barely Branded can be found: HERE!)  It would seem that these are the two that received the most attention.   This is probably because they are the most wearable in the group.

I really enjoy the Color Tattoos.  I tend to avoid the bright colors and stick with the more tame, wearable ones.  This is just my personal preference of colors I wear most often.   I find these to be long wearing and highly crease resistant.  I say it that way because some days I have absolutely no creasing, and then on other days I will notice some slight creasing after several hours.  It just depends on my skin and the weather that day, really.  As a note, I do have oily skin and lids.   If I wear a primer, I have absolutely no creasing what so ever.   These don't crease nearly as bad as a lot of other creme products that can be found (drugstore or otherwise).  They go on smooth and blend nicely, but after a couple of moments they set up and adhere to the skin.

I love that I can lightly dab these on and get a light wash or go back in with a second layer and really build up the color.   When I go in a second time, I don't find that it goes on patchy or creates balling of the product.  It still goes on smooth. 

I like to use my fingers to apply these.  I have tried brushes, but I just find that the warmth and texture of skin vs bristles applies a more smooth, uniform layer. I start by just dabbing it into place and then swipe (gently) to smooth it over.  

This particular color brightens the face nicely.  It is pink, but it has a sort of pink champagne or rose gold quality to it.   It gives color to the face but can be done up or worn minimally.  I find it looks fantastic when simply worn with a bit of mascara, blush, and a light gloss/lipstick.   It is a no fuss kind of color. 

If you are someone who likes to set a powder over all of the Color Tattoos, a good pairing is the L'Oreal Infallible shadow in Amber Rush.  It isn't identical, but it pairs lovely.  At times I also just set with a translucent setting powder, that works fine as well.  

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.)

Maybelline Color Whisper

Last week I was browsing around Target and as I was passing through the cosmetics section I noticed several new product displays.  One of them, which I hadn't heard anything about, was for a Maybelline lip product.  I took a closer look and discovered it was for their Color Whisper lipsticks.  I was intrigued and had to purchase two of them to try out.  

Though I wanted quite a few of the colors, I settled on just two until I determined whether or not they were worth my money for more.  I selected Pin Up Peach (love the name) and Coral Ambition. Looking at the tube and by the name of the product, I assumed they were going to be a more sheer lip color.  I was correct.  The bullet itself doesn't look sheer or anything, but it seems every brand is coming out with a moisturizing, somewhat sheer lipstick/color. 

As you can see from the swatches, they don't pack a ton of color.  Some people will enjoy this, and others will say they hoped for more. Personally, I'm on the side of enjoying them.  I have quite pigmented lips, and sometimes I just want a hint of change but nothing over the top.  Also, for day wear, I enjoy something that is more of a light wash. This fits that bill.  

When I first bought and smelled these, I couldn't detect any scent.  However, when I was swiping them on I did notice a fruity or perfume scent.  I couldn't put my finger on what it was, but every time I applied them, I could definitely pick up on a fragrance.  It took me several times wearing them to finally decide it was sweet and fruity....I think I am smelling a fruit loop cereal scent!  It is different, but I like it!

Over all, I think these are worth checking out.  The ones I have go on more smooth and consistent than the Revlon Lip Butters (which I do really enjoy).   They don't seem to skip or look patchy.  They feel nice on the lips, quite hydrating, with nice slip.  These aren't a long wearing color, though, so do keep that in mind.  

I bought mine at Target for $5.99.  I'm sure we'll be seeing these pop up in more stores and, hopefully, some sales will begin that include these.  I would like to purchase a few more colors.  All in all, these get two thumbs up from me!

November Favorites

This month, the family has been battling colds and allergies, so for the most part, I have been extremely simplistic with my makeup.   I have been wearing products that would erase discoloration and/or bring life to my face, but haven't messed too much with fun eye looks.  That is why you aren't seeing any eyeshadows.  I did wear them, just not enough to be included in a "favorites" post.

The products I used to create the illusion of a more alive and awake face were items by Maybelline, Coty, and Sonia Kashuk.  I started by covering any blemishes or red areas with the Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette.  I don't really mess with the deepest shade or the powder.  I stay in the lightest cream shade and the green. Then, I will use the product in the little pot.  That is actually one of the Maybelline Age rewind concealers.  It is the one in the Brightening shade.  My tube broke, though, so I had to depot it.  That is where it lives now. That goes under my eye area and a little bit down the center of my nose.  I think it actually works well to bring light down the center of the face that way. On a good day, I will stop there and just set it with the Coty Air Spun Loose powder.  Now, if I feel I need more coverage, I will have started with the Maybelline foundation at the very beginning.  I like this foundation when it gets colder.  I know these Maybelline concealers are supposed to be for under the eyes, but I have found that certain shades can work on blemishes too!  However, don't dab them directly on the blemish.  Dot some out onto your hand (or palette) and then use a finger to pick it up and onto that area (or with a brush).

The lip balm I have been using will come as no surprise.  It is the Jack Black Lemon & Chamomile lip balm. I love this one so much. I feel like it really hydrates and heals chapped lips better than other products. It has been in a lot of "favorites."  

The blush is Sonia Kashuk in the color Flamingo.  This may seem like an odd color choice since we are in the middle of fall.  I found that this particular pink gave the perfect "came-in-from-the-cold" kind of glow.  Plus, when I'm not wearing much else, it bring just a bit of life and color to my face without screaming that I am wearing a blush.  

The Mascara I have been reaching for is one that I had forgotten how much I enjoyed.  It is the Maybelline Lash Stiletto mascara.  It is in the regular formulation because I don't care for waterproof mascaras. While this doesn't add thickness to my lashes, I love the length that it gives.  I don't have long lashes but when I put this on they look quite impressive!

Finally, is the perfume I have worn most often.  While I, probably, prefer one of the other Lolita Lempicka perfumes that I recently purchased over this one, this is the bottle that I have actually worn the most.  It is just the original Lolita Lempicka.   I do have a review on the scent of it.  It is one that I'd highly recommend checking out.

I wanted to get this post up a couple of days ago, but with not feeling my best, I am in a bit of a slump and haven't done much in the way of blogging or preparing/taking photos.  My nails are also in a rut, but I am trying to pump moisture into them so, hopefully, they'll get some length back on them.  I would like to get at least a couple of holiday designs up on the nail blog.