Designer Perfect Brushes at Big Lots for $1!

Periodically (maybe a couple times a month) I like to check out my local Big Lots and Dollar Tree stores for great deals. It's always a hit or miss. Half of the time I walk out with nothing and the other half of the time I find something good. If one of your favorite drugstore items became discontinued, Big Lots or your local dollar store are good places to check periodically for those items. 

They seemed to have a lot of ELF items, which was most likely an overstock. They were all still a dollar each, so no real deal on them. If you're a fan of Maybelline's Color Sensational Lipstick in the shade Pink Please, there were several tubes for $1.50. (View my past review here) I actually gave my tube to a friend because I didn't wear it much. Of course every store will have a different selection, so what I find at my Big Lots.. you may not be able to find at yours - and vise versa.

Cosmetic Aisle at Big Lots

Cosmetic Aisle at Big Lots

Something that did catch my eye though were some brushes, more specifically, a whole brush set for $1. None of the bristles felt stiff and scratchy, so for $1, who could go wrong? I also picked up a few single brushes. (I apologize in advance if the photos aren't the greatest quality. They are taken indoors with flash)

From left to right: Powder Brush, Duo Eyeshadow Brush, Wiper Blending Eyeshadow Brush, Five Brush Mini Kit with Zip Purse.

Five Brush Mini Kit with Zip Purse

The Five Brush Mini Kit contains a blush/powder brush, foundation brush and three double sided brushes for the eyes, brows and concealer. I've already used each of the brushes and they are surprisingly good quality for $1. The only brush I find useless is the brush on the opposite side of the angled brush. It's an angled sponge for smudging.. and I find the sponge too dense (and rubbery?) to work well. Also, the angled brush is a little stiff so can't really be used to line the eyes... but it works great for the brows.

Brushes included in the Five Brush Mini Kit (excluding the powder & foundation brushes)

What's cool is that the kit comes with a little zip around carrying case which is perfect for travel. It's great to pop in your bag, use for traveling or even to keep in your glove compartment in your car for emergencies!

Carrying case for the Five Brush Mini Kit

Left to Right: Powder Brush, Wiper Blending Eyeshadow Brush and Duo Eyeshadow Brush.

The three brushes I purchased separately are also great quality. The Wiper Blending brush is like a dupe for the MAC 224 or Sigma Tapered Blending Brush. 

The only thing I dislike about these brushes is the appearance of them (*cough* ugly). I prefer black brushes to match all of my other brushes. Nevertheless, these brushes are great for travel, or like I mentioned good to keep in your car, etc. 

Have you found any "too good to pass by" deals lately? Do share!

Shu Uemura Mini Eyelash Curler!

Shu Uemura Mini Eyelash Curler

Every time I go to ULTA, I usually raid the clearance rack before anything else to see if I find any good deals. I was a little short on time as the store was about to close and I had a 20% coupon that expired that day.. but I managed to find a Shu Uemura Mini Eyelash Curler clearanced to $14.49. Although that doesn't seem too cheap, the 20% off coupon took an extra $3 off, so not bad at all. It was actually missing the replacement pad, which is most likely why it was on clearance (or because Shu isn't even sold anymore in the US - maybe I got lucky?), but I figured I wouldn't need one any time soon. I've had my regular Shu curler for at least four years and the pad is still in mint condition.

Shu Uemura Mini Eyelash Curler, front & back.

Shown next to a dime for scale.

I pictured it next to a dime for scale to show how small it really is (and in comparison the regular Shu below). It's roughly 1/3 the size of a regular Shu.

Left: Standard Shu Curler, Right: Mini Shu Curler

In the past four years or so, my Shu lash curler is the only lash curler I have used. Prior to my Shu, I would purchase a new lash curler from my local Dollar Store every month. By the end of the month, the pad would be slit through the middle and the hinges would most likely be loose. My Shu has been carelessly tossed in my handbag almost every day and has withstood lots of handling and it's still in perfect condition. It's really the best curler I've tried. It doesn't pull my mascara off, pull my lashes out or pinch my lids.

Everyone has a different eye shape, so some may have trouble finding a lash curler that fits to the contour of their eye. If you have very rounded eyelids, or very flat eyelids (not only those - you may have very small eyes, very wide eyes, etc) you may find that your lash curler skips some of your lashes. So, while most of your lashes are sticking up, the ones in the corners may be sticking down.

Whats great about the mini is, you can get to all of your lashes with precision. No lashes left out! In the picture below I curled my lashes with one coat of mascara on. But, with this lash curler, I find it much easier to curl your lashes without mascara on. When wearing mascara, it was a little more difficult to get in between my row of lashes to curl them all the way across.

All you have to do is start out in the beginning of your lashline, clamp the curler, release, and continue working your way across your lashline.

I know Japonesque also makes a similar style curler that is available at ULTA, sold for around $10.

Do you own this curler or similar? Love it? Or was it a complete waste of money?

NOTD: Milani 3D Holographic Nail Lacquer in HD!

Three (3) Coats of Milani HD.

Milani HD is a silver shimmer holographic. It's very sheer with one coat, which was a slight disappointment as it appears to be opaque from the bottle, but it is fairly opaque with three coats. In between coats, the formula dries quickly, so it's not really a pain to apply. It is a nice layering polish as well. I'm sure it would look great applied over a silver, black, blue, (or any) polish. The holo effect is not bad. Indoors, the color looks like a light silver with fine silver glitter. The holo really pops in bright lighting or the sunlight.

I purchased this polish at CVS for a little under $5.

Do you own any of the Milani Holos? Which is your favorite?

Follow up/Update: Bare Minerals Naturally Luminous Neck Cream + Interview with my Mom!

BareMinerals Naturally Luminous Extra Firming Neck Cream

Last month I was given the opportunity by QVC to try out a few new products from Bare Minerals. The products are sold together in the "Naturally Luminous Advanced Treatment Collection with RareMinerals ActiveSoil Complex" 3-piece set. The set included a cleanser, face and neck cream. View my original post here.

I mentioned that I would hand over the neck cream for my mother to use because I, at 22 don't need any tightening of the neck. Well, I did just that and told her to make sure to apply it every day and I'll report back within a few weeks to see how well it has worked.

The product claims - "Firm, tighten and improve skin texture and smoothness with this naturally luminous, extra-firming neck cream that targets the special needs of the delicate skin around the neck and decollete. Powered by our proprietary, 100% pure RareMinerals ActiveSoil Complex, this clinically proven, all-in-one cream locks in moisture to restore a youthful, lifted look and helps defend against daily environmental stressors."

Bare in mind, because this product is fairly new, there aren't many reviews for it. I checked makeupalley as always, and there are only 4 reviews for the product. Three of the four reviewers claim that it's an excellent moisturizer, but does falls short in the "firming" department. One of the four claims their skin looks "more supple and firm". Click here to read the detailed reviews. QVC has many more reviews, which can be read here.

I asked my Mom these questions. 

Q #1: Absorbency. How well does it absorb into your skin? Are you able to clothe right away? Does it leave your skin feeling tacky?

A: It absorbs quickly and doesn't leave my skin feeling tacky as when I would apply a heavy cream. I can clothe right away without worrying about it getting all over my clothing.

Q #2: Texture. What would you describe the texture like? Would you prefer it to be thicker or thinner?

A: It's very light and creamy. I like it exactly as it is. It's not too thin like other moisturizers I've used and it's not thick. I think it's perfect. It doesn't feel heavy on my skin.

Q #3: Lasting Power. Do you feel it keeps your skin hydrated throughout the day?

A: Yes, for 24 hours.

Q: Are you sure? You can be completely honest. You can tell me if the product sucks.

A: No really, here feel my skin. (Wow, her skin feels soft! LOL)

Q #4: Skin Texture/Improvements. Have you noticed any changes in your skin? Does it feel tighter? Softer,  Etc?

A: Well, I thought that it started working well right away. I can't really say if it has tightened or firmed my skin, but my skin feels "plump" and hydrated. I had a small line across my chestbone, and I can barely see it now. 

Q: So would you say it worked well as an overall good moisturizer?

A: Yes, I think it did more moisturizing than firming. It made my skin feel very soft and supple - I love it.

Q #5: Would you re-purchase it once you're done?

A: Yes, can you buy it for me for my birthday??? (haha!)

Here are a couple of photos I snapped of my Mom's neck/chest. She is 57 years old by the way.

Both photos, May 29, 2011.

Overall, this seems like a very nice moisturizing neck cream. If you buy the cream separately, it's $38 for a 1.7 oz container. The 3-piece set is $36, and the neck cream is 1 oz. My Mom has been using the 1 oz container of neck cream just about daily for one month and she still has half of a container left. I think the price is fairly reasonable, but I do think there are of course lower priced options out there that will moisturize your skin just as well - considering, this product didn't seem to "extreme firm". Also, with any skincare product, "Your mileage may vary", meaning everyone won't have the same results. With the really positive reviews on QVC, it seems like it has worked well for many. 

I hope this follow-up helped, and if you have any questions or product recommendations, post in the comments below!