New! NYX Spring 2015 Lippies

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NYX has released a bunch of new lip products for Spring 2015. The shelves have been cleared at Ulta (right now, the new lippies are only available at Ulta and NYX) for weeks so I finally placed an online order at Ulta after swatching testers in the store. NYX products are often buy one get one 50% off online at Ulta (they were when I ordered, and they are now). I recommend swatching in stores if possible (or looking up swatches online) because the color blocks on the NYX and Ulta websites are not true to the actual color of the product. Below are reviews and swatches of some of the Intense Butter Glosses and High Voltage Lipsticks.

Intense Butter Glosses

From left to right: Toasted Marshmallow, Orangesicle

I love the regular Butter Glosses. They are perfect to wear on their own for a natural lip look or to put on top of lipstick. The new Intense Butter Glosses (BGs) are very different. First, they are definitely intensely pigmented. You get the pigmentation of a liquid lipstick. Second, they are a tad (just a tad) sticky while the normal BGs have the feel of a lip balm—very smooth. Third, the Intense BGs are thicker, I’m guessing because of how pigmented they are. Normal BGs are like a normal gloss. Both have a slight vanilla smell, with the Intense BGs even reminding me of Trefoil Girl Scout Cookies (if you know what those smell like).

Since it is a gloss, the Intense BGs do transfer quite a bit. They would be longwearing if you didn’t eat, drink or touch your lips to anything…but since I’m guessing you’re not putting on lipstick just to lay down all day, reapplication is needed. I would recommend a lip liner with these because they are so pigmented. The applicator is a long, flat doe foot and it takes some time to work and blend the product onto your lips.

There are 12 Intense BGs in total. I picked up two colors (swatches below):

1. Toasted Marshmallow, a deep plum-mauve. Gorgeous!
2. Orangesicle, a brigh, intense orange. Good for summer

High Voltage Lipsticks

From left to right: Tiara, Flutter Kiss, Rockstar, Hollywood, Burlesque, Wine and Dine

The High Voltage Lipsticks have a narrow bullet. They also have a slight vanilla/Trefoil Girl Scout Cookie smell. These are very creamy, very pigmented lipsticks making them a little difficult to apply—if you’re not careful it can get messy fast. I would definitely use a lip liner, since it is so creamy it can easily go out of the lip line. I find it better to dab the lipstick on instead of applying like you normally would (swiping) so that too much product doesn’t go on your lips. I would also recommend exfoliating with these as they can accentuate dry skin/lines. This isn’t my favorite lipstick formula. Even though it is difficult to work with I will still use them because the colors are awesome. I had no red lipsticks before, and now I have my whole red lipstick wardrobe!

There are 22 High Voltage Lipsticks in total. I picked up six colors (swatches below):

1. Wine and Dine, a deep plum-berry.
2. Burlesque, a dark red.
3. Hollywood, more of a classic red with a slight blue undertone.
4. Rockstar, a bright red-orange. Helllloooo summer!
5. Flutter Kiss, mauve with a hint of pink.
6. Tiara, a nice bright coral-pink. Perfect for spring!

                             

From left to right: Toasted Marshmallow (Intense BG), Orangesicle (Intense BG),
Wine and Dine, Burlesque, Hollywood, Rockstar, Flutter Kiss, Tiara

These definitely aren’t my favorite lip product formulas. They are a bit messy and difficult to work with. I really, really love the colors though so I will work with them. However, I feel like the drugstore, and NYX, have better offerings (e.g., original NYX butter glosses, Maybelline Color Sensational, Revlon lip butters).

What are your thoughts on the new NYX Spring 2015 lippies? Are you picking any up?     

Disclaimer: These items were purchased with my own money or by my lovely husband and all opinions are 100% honest and my own. I do not provide positive reviews for payment. Products that work for me may not necessarily work for you.

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Review of CoverGirl Full Lash Bloom Mascara

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I got this mascara for pennies during a Saving Series, so it was a no-risk purchase. The new CoverGirl Full Lash Bloom by LashBlast claims to make your lashes appear fuller without flaking.

The packaging is a little clunky; the handle of the mascara is thick so it is hard to hold when applying mascara (at least for my small hands!). The bristles are plastic, they feel pokey when I’m trying to get close to my lash line. There are alternating shorter and longer bristles to help fan out the lashes. I’ve noticed this trend lately—the Benefit Roller Lash (love) and Maybelline Lash Sensational Full Fan Effect Volume Mascara (hate) both had shorter and longer bristles. The difference is that Benefit and Maybelline had shorter bristles on one side and longer on the other. The CoverGirl Full Lash Bloom alternates rows of shorter and longer bristles.

The formula is on the drier side, but I don’t notice any significant flaking. One coat is usually enough for me, but two coats can be applied without it clumping. I do like the effect it gives my lashes, it fans them out but keeps them separated. The volume and lengthening ability aren’t out of this world, but I really like the fanning effect so I am happy with this mascara.

I’m not sure if I would re-purchase because the bristles are so pokey, but I definitely would recommend this mascara if you are used to plastic bristle mascara wands.

Have you tried the CoverGirl Lash Bloom mascara? Let me know your thoughts!

Disclaimer: This item was purchased with my own money or by my lovely husband and all opinions are 100% honest and my own. I do not provide positive reviews for payment. Products that work for me may not necessarily work for you.

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Beauty Battle: Full Coverage Foundations

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The Beauty Battle Series pits similar products against each other to see who comes out the winner. Depending on the product, different factors go into determining what I think is the best product. The first Beauty Battle featured foundation sponges (beautyblender vs. Real Techniques Complexion Sponge). Check out that post to see who won!

This is a longer post, but it’s mostly bullet points J

In this Beauty Battle, I compare four full coverage foundations to see who comes out on top.

The Contenders:

1. Revlon ColorStay
2. Rimmel
3. CoverGirl
4. MAC

1. Revlon ColorStay Foundation in Normal/Dry Skin 150 Buff (1 oz., about $10)

Claims:

• 24 hours (not quite)
• Flawless look (pretty much)
• Lightweight feel (yes)
• Different formulations for Normal/Dry or Combination/Oily skin (only tried the Normal/Dry)

Pros:

• Tons of shades for fairer/medium; each shade comes in Normal/Dry Skin or Combination/Oily Skin
• Perfect color match for me
• Little to no oiliness pops up when I wear this
• Natural finish
• Blends well
• Full coverage

Cons:

• No SPF
• More limited options for deeper skin tones
• Pour out bottle (no pump)

Other:

• More of a liquidy foundation; I prefer to apply this with a brush as opposed to a foundation sponge (although a foundation sponge works too)
• While it is liquidy, this foundation dries fast so work in small sections or use a damp foundation sponge to blend
• Starts to break down on my nose and chin after around 10 hours

2. Rimmel London Lasting Finish 25HR with Comfort Serum Skin Perfecting Full Coverage Foundation in 091 Light Ivory (1 oz., around $8)…that name is a mouth full.

Claims:

• Full coverage (nope)
• Sweat/heat/humidity proof (can’t really test because it’s winter here)
• Transfer proof (no issues here)
• Up to 25 hours (nope)
• Skin perfecting (nope)

Pros:

• SPF 20
• Holds up pretty well throughout the day. I did need to powder, but nothing outrageous
• Blended pretty well

Cons:

• Medium coverage (it’s advertised as full coverage)
• Color read pretty pink on me.
• Accentuated pores
• Caused me to break out
• Pour out bottle (no pump)
• More limited shade range

Other:

• This foundation leaves a dewy finish. This isn’t necessarily a pro or con, but a personal preference. I personally do not prefer a dewy look. This foundation isn’t overly dewy though. I powdered right after putting the foundation on (I usually don’t powder) and then had to touch up throughout the day so I didn’t look oily (and I don’t have oily skin)
• Has a slight clean smell. It’s pleasant and fades after a little bit
• Can use with either a foundation brush or sponge to apply
• Breaks down on nose and chin around the 8 hour mark

3. CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation in 810 Classic Ivory (1 oz., about $10)

Claims:

• Primer, concealer and foundation in one
• Shine free
• All-day flawless coverage

Pros:

• SPF 20
• Over 10 shades available, including deeper colors
• Pump instead of pour out!
• Very natural looking finish
• Blends well
• Pretty full coverage

Cons:

• Color is a little dark on me, but I can’t find one lighter; it will be good for summer
• May need to powder with this one
• I still need to use concealer even though this is advertised as a concealer (I can’t attest to its abilities as a primer because I always use primer to create a barrier for my skin from makeup)

Other:

• Breaks down on nose and chin around the 10+ hour mark
• This is a thicker formula so I prefer to use a foundation sponge to apply this, it doesn’t blend as well with a brush

4. MAC Studio Fluid Fix in NC15 (1 oz., $27)

Claims (taken from MAC website since there are none on the bottle):

• Natural matte finish (yes)
• Medium coverage, buildable (yes)
• Applies, builds and blends easily and evenly (can take some blending)
• Longwearing (yes)
• Minimizing appearance of pores and imperfections (a little)

Pros:

• SPF 15
• Over 30 shades available, including deeper colors
• Full coverage
• Flawless skin finish

Cons:

• Price (almost three times as much as the other three brands in this post)
• Can look a little heavy (“done up”) if you don’t blend properly and/or put too much on
• Pour out bottle (no pump)

Other:

• This had been the only foundation I used for years because of its full coverage; I’m glad that there are some good drugstore options now since this one is pricey
• Breaks down on nose and chin around the 10+ hour mark
• Does minimize the appearance of pores, but nothing earth shattering
• Can use with either a foundation brush or sponge to apply, I think I prefer a sponge

And The Winner Is…

Revlon ColorStay!

ColorStay is very similar to MAC, but at about 1/3 of the price. You'll need to add SPF via sunscreen or your moisturizer to make sure you get sun protection. Second would be MAC with CoverGirl being a close third. I really like all three of those. I did not like the Rimmel foundation at all. I actually ended up returning it because I disliked it so much. I would highly recommend Revlon ColorStay. You can get it at Target or drugstores (I’ve even gotten it basically for free from CVS using coupons!). I highly, highly recommend it!

What foundation is your go-to? Let me know!

Disclaimer: These items were purchased with my own money or by my lovely husband and all opinions are 100% honest and my own. I do not provide positive reviews for payment. Products that work for me may not necessarily work for you.

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Empties: Products I’ve Used Up | March 2015

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Here are the products I’ve used up recently, along with a super quick review. A lot of skin care stuff this month!

1. Simple Moisturizing Facial Wash

I’ve already repurchased this. It does a good job of getting makeup off and does not strip my skin of moisture.

2. Eucerin Calming Crème Daily Moisturizer

            This stuff is amazing! I use it on my hands every night before I go to bed. You can usually score the smaller ones for free with coupons and I use the larger bottles as a body lotion. It is so good at moisturizing and does not irritate my sensitive skin. It can be a bit greasy, but it’s worth it to me since it soothes my dry skin.

3. Carmex Original Lip Balm

            This is one of the only lip balms that does not actually dry my lips out. I’ve repurchased this over and over and will continue to do so. It has an SPF of 15 as well.

4. eco-beauty by La Fresh Group good day. day moisturizer.

            I was very sad when I finished up this moisturizer. I’ve talked about this several times on this site. I got this in an ipsy bag and absolutely loved it. It was moisturizing but absorbed into my skin fast without making my skin oily. When I’m in need of a full-size moisturizer (I have a bunch of samples right now) I will strongly consider purchasing this. It’s expensive ($40 for a full-size, I believe) but it really worked well with my skin.

5.  Kate Somerville Age Arrest Eye Cream

            This got the job done. It wasn’t anything special, but it did keep my under eye area moisturized and did not cause my makeup to run. It lasted a long, long time but for the price I don’t think I’ll repurchase.

6. bareMinerals Prime Time Foundation Primer in Original

            My Holy Grail primer. This really helps protect my skin from anything that would clog my pores. I wear it even when I don’t wear foundation to protect my skin from the elements. It provides a nice base for makeup. It is a more watery primer so if you like thick primers (e.g., Smashbox Photo Finish) this may not be the primer for you.

7. Maybelline the Colossal Volum’ Express Cate Eyes Mascara in Glam Black

            I liked this mascara. It wasn’t too dry of a formula and I liked the wand shape. The wand was curved and it really helped push up my lashes and get product near my lash line. It didn’t flake too much and lasted all day.

8. Revlon ColorStay Foundation in Normal/Dry Skin in 150 Buff

            I don’t want to say too much about this foundation because I will have a full review coming up in a full coverage foundation beauty battle. As you saw in a Super Savings post, I’ve already repurchased this. Overall, it’s a great full coverage foundation. The color range is large (though doesn’t get too deep) and it comes in two formulas: normal/dry skin and combination/oily skin.

Those are all the products I’ve used up recently. What have you finished? Let me know!

Disclaimer: These items were purchased with my own money or by my lovely husband and all opinions are 100% honest and my own. I do not provide positive reviews for payment. Products that work for me may not necessarily work for you.

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First Impressions: Perfect Formula Pink Gel Coat

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I’ve seen the Perfect Formula Pink Gel Coat on QVC a gazillion times and never really gravitated toward it. However, I could use my Sephora points to get a free sample so I figured I would see what all the fuss was about.

It is advertised as a strengthener and brightener. It is paraben, sulfate, etc. free. You can use it alone or as a base coat. It’s supposed to last about a week.

I was not too impressed with it. I put it on by itself and it started to peel off the next day. I didn’t notice any brightening to the look of my nails or anything like that. Maybe this is a product that needs time to start working. It left a slight pink tint to my nails and looked like any other base coat. I think I will use this as a base coat under other polishes and see if that makes a difference since it did not stay on my nails long. I’ll give an update in a few weeks as to whether I think this has helped my nails at all. My first impression does not leave me too hopeful, but we shall see!

Have you ever tried Perfect Formula polishes before? Let me know you opinion of them!

Disclaimer: I receive this item free using my points at Sephora. All opinions are 100% honest and my own. I do not provide positive reviews for payment. Products that work for me may not necessarily work for you.

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Saving Series: Tuesday, March 24, 2015

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If you read my last post you may be asking how I can still shop even though I’m on a no buy. Well, you can shop if it doesn't cost you anything J

CVS is my favorite store to grab great beauty deals. If you haven’t already, sign up for their ExtraCare card. You can swipe it in the front of the store at a kiosk and get tons of store coupons (that you can combine with manufacturer’s coupons). CVS will also email you coupons (e.g., $3 off a $15 dollar purchase, 30% off your regular price purchase) and you can get ExtraCare Bucks—these are essentially money, just money you can only use at CVS. You get ExtraCare Bucks by buying certain products (e.g., spend $12 on Revlon products and get $4 in ExtraCare Bucks back). You can use the ECBs on your next purchase. Also, if you sign up for CVS’s Beauty Club you get $5 ECBs when you spend $50 on beauty products. The $50 total is BEFORE coupons! For more on couponing at CVS, see my post here.

So sales + coupons + ECBs make CVS my favorite couponing spot.

The Coupon Machine is printing a $5 off of a $15 cosmetics purchase for all shoppers with an ExtraCare Card. The deal I got this week required three transactions. It took some work, but it was worth it (it’s for free makeup, after all)!

First Transaction:

This week, Eucerin is buy 2, get $5 ECBs—on any Eucerin product. I got two 1 oz. bottles of the Daily Moisturizing Crème that go for $1.37 each. You might ask why you’re able to get $5 ECB when you spend less than $3 on the items but… the sign clearly stated ANY Eucerin item so I will gladly take it. However, I do want to stress that this was totally within the limits of the deal and I in no way condone dishonest behavior like swapping price tags or using fake coupons. I’m all for being clever when you coupon, but cheating is wrong and probably illegal.

Okay now that that’s out of the way, let’s coupon!

Breakdown: Spent, before tax, $2.74 and got $5 ECBs back. (Products like this don’t count in my no buy because it’s more of a necessity)

Second Transaction:

L’Oreal is also buy 2 get $5 ECBs. I got the Voluminous Butterfly Intenza mascara in 380 Blackest Black and the Infallible Silkissime eyeliner in 250 Cobalt Blue. The mascara is on sale from $7.99 and there was a $3 off coupon in the Sunday paper, the eyeliner was $10.49.

Breakdown: Before coupons, sales and taxes, my total would have been $19.98. Sales and coupons used:

            $5 off of $15 cosmetics purchase (CVS coupon from the Coupon Machine)

            $6 ECBs (from my Revlon purchase last week, see the deal here)

            $5 ECBs (from the above Eucerin purchase)

            $1 Manufacturer’s Coupon on L’Oreal eye product (from newspaper)

            $3 Manufacturer’s Coupon on L’Oreal Butterfly Intenza mascara (from newspaper)

            $1.50 off the mascara

            Total = $0.00 J J AND I got $5 in ECBs back.

Third Transaction:

This is a little off of the makeup/skincare track, but I figured I’d share because it’s good to take your vitamins (if your doctor says you need to, of course). CVS vitamins are buy one get one free this week (and most weeks). I got two bottles for $7.79 each.

Breakdown: My cost before sales and coupons would have been $15.58.

            $7.79 off (one free bottle)

            $3 off a $15 vitamin purchase (CVS coupon from the Coupon Machine)

            $5 ECBs from second transaction transaction

            Total = $0.00!!

Final Breakdown: Before coupons, sales and taxes, my total would have been $38.12. I spent just $2.74 (on the Eucerin) for a 93% savings! Gotta love it!

These transactions sent me over the spending threshold ($50) for the Beauty Club so I will get $5 in ECBs next time I go to the Coupon Machine.

You can check out all the Saving Series posts here. Happy couponing!!

Disclaimer: These items were purchased with my own money or by my lovely husband and all opinions are 100% honest and my own. I do not provide positive reviews for payment. Products that work for me may not necessarily work for you.

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HUGE Drugstore Haul | Walgreens, Target & Ulta

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Yeah…I did some damage at the drugstore J I have one more order coming in (new NYX Spring 2015 lippies) and then I’m on a no buy until May. Don’t worry; I’ll still have plenty of stuff to tell you about! Here’s what I picked up at the drugstore in the last couple weeks:

Walgreens

Rimmel was 50% off at Walgreens a couple weeks ago so I wanted to pick up some of their newer products and one classic. The first thing I picked up was the Provocalips 16HR Kiss Proof Lip Color in 750 Heart Breaker. It is a nice brick red color. I’ve been looking for a lip color like this for a while. One end is the actual lip color and the other end is a thicker clear gloss to lock in the color and add shine. I was curious to try Rimmel’s Long Lasting 25HR Skin Perfecting Full Coverage Foundation with Comfort Serum in 091 Light Ivory. I also wanted to include it in a full coverage foundation Beauty Battle (coming soon!). Finally, I picked up the Rimmel Stay Matte Long Lasting Pressed Powder in 001 Transparent. This product is raved about a lot online so I wanted to try it out. I never really have good luck with powders, but we will see—a ton of people seem to love this one.

 

I’ve only seen Jordana products at Walgreens. I featured the Jordana Fabuliner in a previous post on liquid eyeliner. They have a new line of “Modern Matte” lipsticks out so I wanted to pick one up to try. I chose the shade 10 Matte Pretty. It is a dusty pink-coral color. It has a slight vanilla smell. The formula is quick dry so I definitely need to put lip balm over this. There are much better matte lipsticks (Maybelline) at the drugstore. I love the color though so I’m willing to work with it. I also picked up the Jordana FabuBrow eyebrow pencil in 03 Dark Brown. It looks to be a pretty good match with the color of my brows. Jordana is a very affordable line, I believe the lipstick was, like, $2.50.

Target

e.l.f. (eyes, lips, face) galore! e.l.f. products are usually pretty wiped out at Target, probably because they are so affordable. Target must have just restocked so I picked up a bunch of stuff. I’ve heard good things about e.l.f.’s primers so I got the Mineral Infused Face Primer and the Hydrating Under Eye Primer. I also got the Lip Exfoliator which I have been in search of for awhile (YouTuber Andréa Matillano swears by it). I’ve also been hearing a lot of good things about e.l.f.’s new Smudge Pots (like a cream eyeshadow/base) so I chose Ain’t That Sweet—it’s a light pink color. I’ve really been into pinkish-reddish colors on my eyes lately. The last e.l.f. product I got was the Flawless Concealer Brush. e.l.f. has AMAZING brushes and they run $1-$3. I plan to use this brush to blend my eyeshadows.

I re-purchased the Simple moisturizing face wash (now parabens free!). I’ve tried a few other face washes since I ran out of this one and my skin was not happy. I also picked up the Simple cleansing micellar water. I want to compare this to Bioderma to see if it can be a drugstore dupe. I’ve heard a lot of good things about the Garnier micellar water but I haven’t been able to find it anywhere.

Two more things at Target! I got the Wet ‘n Wild Fergie Take On The Day eyeshadow primer and the NYC Matte Me Crazy mattifying top coat. I believe it was JAMbeauty89 on YouTube who said to check this primer out. I’m curious to see how it will compare to my Urban Decay primer potion. The NYC mattifying top coat just intrigued me. Nail polishes always leave a shiny finish so I want to see what a matte finish would look like!

Ulta

Lastly, Ulta. Ulta has high end and drug store brands. I got two NYX butter lipsticks—Candy Buttons (BLS09) and Fizzies (BLS21). Candy Buttons is a pale peach nude and Fizzies is a sheerer bright coral on the red side. 

I also picked up a bunch a few things from Essence. I’ve only seen this brand at Ulta. I got a Longlasting Lipstick in 13 Love Me (peachy-coral), a lip liner in 11 In The Nude (perfect on its own or as a liner) and the gel-look plumping top coat (review to come). This brand is also inexpensive (e.g., the lip liner was $1.50).

Let me know if there’s anything you want a first impressions or review of. What have you picked up at the drugstore lately?

Disclaimer: These items were purchased with my own money or by my lovely husband and all opinions are 100% honest and my own. I do not provide positive reviews for payment. Products that work for me may not necessarily work for you.

Referral Links:

ipsy: https://www.ipsy.com/r/ts6i8

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