Friday, January 21, 2011

Review: Covergirl Professional Super Thick Mascara!


Covergirl Professional Super Thick Lash Mascara

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: "For big, bold, thick lashes, Super Thick Lash is the one. Its Lash Builder brush separates, defines, and reaches for those little lashes so you get thick, full lashes – so easy, so beautiful!"

»For bold, thick lashes
»Suitable for contact wearers and Sensitive eyes
»Smudge-proof


Review: I originally purchased this mascara because I thought I HAD to try it because of the positive reviews (rated 4/5 on makeupalley with a 75% re-purchase rate - which is high!). Another thing that lured me to try it is because I've had great luck with Covergirl Mascara (since Lash Blast is my fav!) and that it claims to be smudge proof. Smudging has always been my main issue with mascaras.. and I rarely explore many mascaras because the majority end up under my eyes except for my beloved Lash Blast. I had very high expectations for this mascara.. and I'm not at all disappointed.. but I'm not blown away by the results. The name of this mascara is "Super Thick Lash".. and I didn't find that this made my lashes "Super Thick". The original Lash Blast definitely builds more volume for me than this mascara.. BUT, this mascara gives me much more length.. which Lash Blast doesn't really do for me. Don't get me wrong, this mascara is buildable.. but it requires a little work to get them very volumized. This mascara has no distinct scent (just the typical scent), it stays true to the claim by not smudging, the color is very black, gives length, builds volume (requires several coats), dries quickly without smudging and doesn't make my lashes crispy. There are some mascaras that once you apply it.. you can't go back later in the day and add another coat without having wonky looking lashes. This one I could apply later in the day. The brush is a standard mascara brush.. nothing fancy. Easy to get close to the base of your lashes and in the corners. I think I actually prefer larger wands for some reason? I guess I can't really say anything bad about this mascara except for the fact.. that I wish the formula was a little wetter? So I can build volume as quick as I can with YSL Faux Cils or CG Lash Blast. I will continue using this mascara and I will probably combine this with Lash Blast for more dramatic lashes. Whats really nice about this mascara is the price! It's only around $4 - half of the price of Lash Blast. 

 If you're looking for a new mascara - This is a pretty nice one to try.. (For the record, it does much more for me than CG Last Blast Length & Maybelline Lash Stiletto..)


Whats your favorite mascara? Is there one you think I should try? Let me know in the comments. :)

Thanks for Reading!

Thursday, January 20, 2011

FOTD with Bright Lipstick!


I thought I'd so something a little different with my makeup.. I never really wear any colors outside of my "comfort zone".. but after seeing Tanya Burr's makeup in her recent "Products I regret not buying" video.. I had to give some color a try.

Isn't her makeup gorgeous here? (click to view full size)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jyuobcjeAQE

Because she went bold with the lips, she decided to keep it pretty natural on the eyes.

Since I wanted to wear a bold color on my lips.... I went with a very soft wash of color on my lids. I used a sheer taupe and a white eyeshadow all over my lid and lined my upper lid only.. and only applied mascara to my upper lashes.

I did something a little different with my bangs. Instead of flat ironing them, I blow dried them and swept them outward.. not sure If I liked the result.. It kind of looked like a comb over.. LOL Oh well.


FACE:
Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch Primer
MAC Pro Longwear Concealer #NW25
Bobbi Brown Eye Brightener # Light (Discontinued, pot)
Nars Sheer Glow Foundation #Stromboli
MAC Smooth Harmony Beauty Powder (LE, to contour)
MAC Petticoat Mineralize Skinfinish
Stila Rose Gold Illuminating Finishing Powder (Highlight my cheekbones & bridge of my nose)
Alima Pure Satin Matte Foundation #W-3 (Mineral powder to set my concealer, brighten area & add extra coverage)

EYES:
Napoleon Perdis Smoke Signals Palette (light taupe shade all over lid and in the crease & white shade on top- stopping at my crease to brighten my lid)
MAC Smolder Eyeliner Pencil
Covergirl Professional Super Thick Mascara
Covergirl Lash Blast Mascara (for added volume)

BROWS:
E.L.F Brow Kit #Medium

LIPS:
Rimmel 1,000 Kisses Stay On Lip Liner #Indian Pink (Lined, filled in my lips and blotted)
NYX Louisiana Round Lip Stick
MAC Clear Lip Glass
MAC Your Ladyship Pigment (A tiny bit smoothed in the center of my lips to add a highlight)
Cargo Reverse Lip Liner #Medium (To define the shape of my lips)

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Review: N.Y.C Blushable Creme Sticks in the shades Urban Spice & South St. Seashell! + Photos & Swatch!


Product Description: "This lightweight formula blends effortlessly to provide sheer, all-over color as well as subtle, shimmering accents, contours and dynamic highlights to your cheeks."

Benefits: Sheer crè blusher dries down to a silky powder finish, Soft and creamy formula blends easily with fingertips to desired intensity and coverage, Convenient twist up stick for quick application & Non-drying, oil-free.

Application Tips: *Twist blush up and apply to the apples of your cheeks and glide across your cheekbone, blend with fingertips or sponge in a soft circular motion for a sheer flush of color. To build a deeper flush repeat this step again.
*For a contouring effect use darker shade such as South Street Seashell right below cheek bone and blend outward toward hairline, then use a highlighting shade like Plaza Pink to apply onto the apples of your cheeks and blend outward.
 (Source: newyorkcolor.com)
  N.Y.C. Blushable Creme Sticks are available in 6 different shades. Plaza Pink - 644, Big Apple Blush - 645, Urban Spice - 646, South Street Seashell - 647, Mauvin' Uptown - 648 & Berry New Yorker - 649. Click here to be redirected to the product page on N.Y.C's website.
(Shade swatches from newyorkcolor.com)
Review: I was intersted in trying these blushes just recently when I saw them being raved about by a fellow beauty blogger. Once I checked out the reviews and saw how positive they were (Rated 4.5/5 with a 88% Repurchase rate).. I knew I had to give them a try. Soon after, I saw all of N.Y.C Cosmetics on clearance at my local ULTA (I went to another ULTA a couple of days ago and their N.Y.C was not on clearance) and the creme blushsticks were priced at half off ($1.99, typically $3.99). Once I got in my car and went over my receipt.. I right away regretted purchasing these. I guess I just doubted the quality because of the reasonable price. I'm very happy to say now that I'm not at all regretting purchasing these. I was very happy when i first swatched the colors.. that the consistency is very soft, and satiny smooth. They are not at all thick, dry or greasy. The formula is very lightweight, non-sticky and easy to blend. I was a little worried at first that If I apply my foundation and then run this over my cheeks straight from the tube that it will mess up and cake my foundation.. but It doesn't at all. It's very nice that these are oil free.. these haven't seemed to bother my skin at all. The blushes have pretty good color payoff and add a really nice, natural sheen to the cheeks. For the past couple of days, I've been using Urban Spice as a contour and up my temples/around my hairline and it adds such a light, natural glow to my face. I think these are perfect for those of you that are interested in trying creme blushes and don't want to dish out a lot of money for a high end brand. The colors are very pretty & natural and are super easy to blend. Also, these can be sheered out and used as a base for your powder blush. A very versatile product.

Available at: Wal-mart, Target, Rite-Aid, CVS Pharmacy, Meijer, ULTA, Superdrug & More. Click here to view the retailers. These typically sell from around $3-$5 each.

Have you tried N.Y.C Blushable Creme Sticks or anything similar? Recommendations? Comment below and tell us your thoughts!

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Napoleon Perdis Smoke Signals 12 Color Eye Shadow Palette (For Target Holiday 2010)

Napoleon Perdis Smoke Signals 12 Color Eye Shadow Palette

Napoleon Perdis Smoke Signals 12 Color Eye Shadow Palette

I grabbed this palette off of the Clearance rack at Target a few days ago. It was originally $10.. and was one of the holiday stocking stuffers that Target has to offer every year in the cosmetics dept. It was priced down to only $2.48! They also had a few Pixi palettes left for the same price.. but I ended up putting it back because I figured I wouldn't use it much. Last year I purchased the Napoleon holiday palette at Target and really liked it. The quality of the shadows are awesome!

Did anyone else pick up this palette? If you're at Target be sure to check out the Clearance racks.. you might find some goodies!! :)