Beauty &amp; Books

POPSUGAR: http://popsu.gr/uXzQ Save $5 off your first box with the code REFER5

Ebates: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=hbpGf26lDsl%2F2zOsOOaIRw%3D%3D&eeid=26471

Boxycharm: https://www.boxycharm.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/41854/

at checkout enter the following code: M3d2Q1dTT21MR1RTNWJ0KzhRWUo0Z0lWWWtoRnVrZmk0NGNOVWY0MVBHRT0=

Friday, September 4, 2015

First Impressions: Colour Pop Haul

**If you are receiving this post via email, you may want to check out my actual site as the email throws off the formatting**

Colour Pop is a brand that is beyond popular on YouTube right now so I had to see what all the fuss was about. Colour Pop is a cruelty-free brand that is available only online. The items are drugstore priced so I picked up a variety of products to try.

The packaging is okay. I didn’t expect anything fancy given the price point, but it does seem a little cheap. It’s pretty bulky plastic and the lid to the lip liner I got doesn’t stay on. Like, you turn it upside down, and it just drops right off. Also, some of the lipstick gets shaved off when you twist it up because the bullet isn’t lined up right in the packaging.

My order came with some cards that describe how best to use the products. Colour Pop eyeshadows and blushes are a unique formulation—not quite powder, not quite cream so there were some suggestions on how to apply (your fingers or a stiff synthetic brush). You also have to keep the cap on tight so that the product doesn’t dry out. They also included a cute note with my order!

Here’s what I ordered, and my first impressions:

Ultra Matte Lip in Bumble

I’ll start with what’s getting the most hype now. Colour Pop’s new Ultra Matte Lip liquid lipstick sold out immediately when they were first released. The second time around I picked out the color Bumble, a nice brick red (Colour Pop’s website describes it as a “dusty warm terracotta”). I love this color and it will be great for the fall. This product is matte, highly pigmented and dries fast. It applies nicely and smoothly—especially for a matte product—but I definitely recommend exfoliating before using. It dries down very matte and doesn’t budge. When I wore lip balm over it there was some slight transfer of the product to a glass, lips, etc. It settled into the lines of my lips (with or without balm). It has good staying power, but it did wear down around the inner part of my lips when I ate. Also, when it breaks down it kind of balls up which doesn’t look too good. YouTuber KathleenLights swatches the ultra matte liquid lipsticks here.

Lippie Stix in Lumière (Matte)

This lipstick (or lippie stix, as Color Pop calls them…) was made as part of a collaboration with KathleenLights, the same YouTuber mentioned above. This color looked gorgeous to me and I felt like it would be a good every day color year round—it is a berry nude. Even though this is a matte lipstick it isn’t drying like the Ultra Matte Lip, it is creamy like the Maybelline matte lipsticks, if you’re familiar with them. I still applied lip balm over it though. The product wore off in the middle of my lips after eating so I rubbed my lips together to redistribute the product. This is going to be a great color to take from the end of summer into fall.

Lippie Stix in Safari (Sheer)

Another new product line from Colour Pop is their sheer lip colors. I love sheer lip products, they look more natural to me no matter the color. Safari is a sheer orange color; it looks like you ate a popsicle. I’ve been looking for a good sheer orange all summer and this is it! It is easy to apply and reapply which is good because it wears off pretty easily. To me, this is to be expected because it is a sheer color that is balm-like. YouTuber EmilyNoel83 has a good lipswatch video of all these colors if you would like to check that video out here.

Lippie Pencil in BFF

creamy during application but then dries down, matte finish, goes on smooth good to wear alone (neutral on the brown side—90s lip that is in), as a lipliner for most lip colors or as a base to darken a lighter color or to top with gloss. BFF comes in 3 different shades depending on your skin tone, I got the lightest one, Browny nude. The one problem is I’m not quite sure how to sharpen it. The instructions say to sharpen it, but it’s made of plastic, not wood—and it seems silly to sharpen plastic. Maybe I’m missing something here.

Super Shock Shadow in Hustle

The consistency of the super shock (eye) shadows is not quite cream and not quite powder—it’s almost spongy. I picked this color because I have been looking for a deep brick red/cranberry eyeshadow. I was disappointed when I swatched this color and it was more along the line of plum instead of cranberry. It looks a little more cranberry-ish on the eyes which is good. This color isn’t very pigmented and it takes a lot of work to build it up. I applied it with my finger (but this is hard to do in your crease), so I ended up using the Modern Minerals Duo Fiber Mini Round Brush I received in my February Boxycharm (read my review here) which worked okay. I put the bareMinerals 5 in 1 BB Advanced Performance Cream Eyeshadow all over my lid, Hustle in the outer v/crease and finished the look off with Lumière—a great look for fall.

Super Shock Shadow in So Quiche

This eyeshadow is a beautiful olive green with a gold-pink shimmer duo chrome. Beautiful! I applied this with my finger all over my lid. Given the description this color had the potential to be obnoxious, but it is really quite nice. It has good staying color and there was no glitter fallout.

Super Shock Cheek in Bonus

Colour Pop blushes have the same unique consistency of the eyeshadows. This blush is a matte orangey color that would be great for spring/summer. I used the e.l.f. small stipple brush to apply this. It is very natural looking and you can build the color up. It has really good staying power too. I was looking for a good orangey/peach blush and I finally found it!

Swatches (left to right): Bonus, So Quiche, Hustle, BFF, Safari, Lumiere and Bumble

What do you think of the Colour Pop items I reviewed? Have you tried Colour Pop? Let me know your thoughts!

Referral Links:

Starlooks: https://subscriptions.starlooks.com/?refer=REF5869 / Subscriptions.Starlooks.com

POPSUGAR: http://popsu.gr/uXzQ Save $5 off your first box with the code REFER5

Ebates: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=hbpGf26lDsl%2F2zOsOOaIRw%3D%3D&eeid=26471

Boxycharm: https://www.boxycharm.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/41854/

at checkout enter the following code: M3d2Q1dTT21MR1RTNWJ0KzhRWUo0Z0lWWWtoRnVrZmk0NGNOVWY0MVBHRT0=

Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Favorite 5: August 2015

**If you are receiving this post via email, you may want to check out my actual site as the email throws off the formatting**

Another month come and gone! I’m not amused that the last “summer month” is over… Here are the my favorite five cruelty-free products I’ve been liking lately, in no particular order:

1. Urban Decay Revolution High-Color Lipgloss in Bittersweet

I received a sample of this in my May ipsy bag (read my review here) and loved it so much I got the full-size. This gloss is a beautiful purple that isn’t too out there. It isn’t sticky at all either, sits nicely on the lips and is really pigmented. The dough foot applicator is pointed making precise application easier. There is a slight makeup smell to it (no vanilla or cookies here), but it doesn’t linger. I definitely would like another one of these, perhaps in a neutral color.

2. Whish Shave Cream in Blueberry

I received this sample in my April Birchbox (read my review here). If found this shaving cream to be moisturizing. It doesn’t foam or lather up, it is like a lotion. It is free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, DEA, petrochemicals, etc. It contains shea butter and coconut oil, along with other moisturizing ingredients. The full-size of this item (5 oz.) is $20—very expensive for a shaving cream. I may add it to my Christmas list. I really liked it, but can’t justify spending that much on shaving cream.

3. e.l.f. Flawless Concealer Brush

e.l.f. makes some great brushes and most range in price from $1-$6. This is a fluffy concealer brush that works really well to blend concealer around the eyes, especially the space between your eyes and nose. It cleans off really easily (I use baby shampoo) which is a big plus in a brush that you use to apply cream products. I would recommend this brush (and most other e.l.f. brushes)—you can find e.l.f. at Target and some CVS are starting to carry e.l.f. I’ve even found e.l.f. at The Christmas Tree Shop.

4. the Balm Nude Dude Volume 2 Mini Nude Eyeshadow in Flirty

I received this eyeshadow sample in my April 2015 ipsy bag (read my review here). What would I do without subscription boxes! This is a mid-tone purple with a hint of taupe and gold duo chrome. It is absolutely gorgeous. I’ve been using this on the outer V of my eyes because it goes really well with the Maybelline Color Tattoo in Hydrangea Hype that I’m trying to use up as part of my Finish 5 By Fall Challenge (read about my challenge here). The two purples play well off each other and my green eyes. I’m yet to be disappointed by a the Balm product.

5. Skin Perfecting Blush in SPB1 Rose Gold (Limited Edition)

I received this in my July Starlooks subscription box (read my review here). I’ve been using this as an eyeshadow crease color instead of a blush. It goes really nice when I have Hydrangea Hype on my lid and Flirty on my outer crease. This rose gold color goes really well with the purples. I originally thought this was peachy-bronze, but it is definitely more of a rose gold.

Swatches (left to right): Urban Decay's Bittersweet, the Balm's Flirty and Starlooks's Rose Gold

What products have you been loving lately? Let me know!

Disclaimer: All products are purchased by me or my lovely husband unless otherwise noted in the post. 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. This post is not sponsored.

Referral Links:

Starlooks: https://subscriptions.starlooks.com/?refer=REF5869 / Subscriptions.Starlooks.com

POPSUGAR: http://popsu.gr/uXzQ Save $5 off your first box with the code REFER5

Ebates: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=hbpGf26lDsl%2F2zOsOOaIRw%3D%3D&eeid=26471

Boxycharm: https://www.boxycharm.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/41854/

at checkout enter the following code: M3d2Q1dTT21MR1RTNWJ0KzhRWUo0Z0lWWWtoRnVrZmk0NGNOVWY0MVBHRT0=

Tuesday, September 1, 2015

Saving Series: Free Dickinson’s Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner!

**If you are receiving this post via email, you may want to check out my actual site as the email throws off the formatting**

I was in CVS the other day and spotted a “Free Offer” sign on a toner I like—the Dickinson’s Original Witch Hazel Pore Perfecting Toner. Score! You just have to fill out the refund form that is attached to the product and send it in, along with the original receipt, simple as that. All directions to get the refund are clear on the refund form. This was a very exciting find. This toner does contain alcohol and leave my skin a little red right after using it, but for free I could not pass it up. This toner is all-natural and cruelty-free. Just wanted to pass along this great find! CVS always delivers!

Refund form attached to product

Referral Links:

Starlooks: https://subscriptions.starlooks.com/?refer=REF5869 / Subscriptions.Starlooks.com

POPSUGAR: http://popsu.gr/uXzQ Save $5 off your first box with the code REFER5

Ebates: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=hbpGf26lDsl%2F2zOsOOaIRw%3D%3D&eeid=26471

Boxycharm: https://www.boxycharm.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/41854/

at checkout enter the following code: M3d2Q1dTT21MR1RTNWJ0KzhRWUo0Z0lWWWtoRnVrZmk0NGNOVWY0MVBHRT0=

Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Finish 5 By Fall 2015 Challenge: Update #1

**If you are receiving this post via email, you may want to check out my actual site as the email throws off the formatting**

In this challenge, I am trying to use up five products by the beginning of Fall (September 23^rd). I first saw this challenge on PrettyPistol86’s YouTube channel. There is a whole community of YouTubers that do challenges like these throughout the year to try to finish up products in their makeup collections. I decided to jump on this challenge because I want to use up products I have that are not cruelty-free. Since I try so many products to review, I want to make sure I focus on finishing up some so I don’t have a lot of extra products lying around. You can read my introduction to this challenge here.

Here’s the progress I’ve made in the month I’ve been doing this challenge:

1. Philosophy Amazing Grace Firming Body Emulsion (32 oz.)

I didn’t make as much progress on this as I thought I would. You can see my starting line and the progress I’ve made since I introduced this challenge I’ve used up about a quarter of the product I had left. I thought I would be halfway done since I’m using it every day, but I don’t think that I will finish this up by September 23^rd. This lotion absorbs into the skin really well, which is always appreciated so that your clothes don’t stick to your skin. It has a slight floral scent that is not overbearing.

2. L’Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Makeup SPF 17 in N1 Neutral Soft Ivory

I’ve made some good progress on this foundation but I’m not sure if I can use it up by the 23^rd. I have over 50% of the bottle to go. I will be sad to see this foundation go, but I have a few other foundations I need to use up too.

3. L’Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara

There is definitely less product on the mascara brush now, so I know I’m getting close to the end of this product. I’ve had this mascara open for a little bit and would have to throw it out at the end of September anyway so I wanted to use it up. This is an all around good mascara and it very popular among YouTubers. You can read my full review of this mascara here.

4. Maybelline Color Tattoo in 135 Hydrangea Hype

*sigh* I feel like I’m making no progress on this Color Tattoo even though I use it just about every day. I’m also getting sick if using this. Since it’s purple, I can’t use a lot of my other eyeshadows and I’m just getting bored with it. I didn’t think that I would use this up by Fall, but I thought I would have some noticeable progress. I’ve seen YouTubers doing “finish it up” challenges (oftentimes called “Project Pans”) where one of their products is a Color Tattoo—they seem to make good progress, but it’s not happening for me.

5. Clinique Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in 04 Mega Melon

The Clinique Chubby Sticks are one of my favorite lip products. I’ve made good progress on using this up—I’m about halfway through as evidenced by the lines on the product cap. This color doesn’t go the best with the silvery-purple Color Tattoo so I wish I had thought that out better. It doesn’t look bad, just not ideal.

This is my first Project Pan Challenge and I’m definitely learning a lot; like, that I underestimated the amount of time it takes to use up a product. Oh well…

Are there any products you are trying to use up? Are you doing or contemplating doing your own Project Pan Challenge? Let me know!

Referral Links:

Starlooks: https://subscriptions.starlooks.com/?refer=REF5869 / Subscriptions.Starlooks.com

POPSUGAR: http://popsu.gr/uXzQ Save $5 off your first box with the code REFER5

Ebates: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=hbpGf26lDsl%2F2zOsOOaIRw%3D%3D&eeid=26471

Boxycharm: https://www.boxycharm.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/41854/

at checkout enter the following code: M3d2Q1dTT21MR1RTNWJ0KzhRWUo0Z0lWWWtoRnVrZmk0NGNOVWY0MVBHRT0=

Friday, August 14, 2015

Beauty Battle: Taupe Eyebrow Pencils

**If you are receiving this post via email, you may want to check out my actual site as the email throws off the formatting**

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. You can read my past Beauty Battle posts here.

In this Battle two cruelty-free retractable eyebrow pencils in taupe will duke it out. A taupe eyebrow pencil is supposed to be universal for all hair colors. If you apply the product with a lighter hand you get a lighter color and if you use a heavier hand you get a darker color. Both have a spoolie on one end to help comb your brows into place and distribute product evenly. Both stay put on me all day.

The Contenders:

1. It Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil in Universal Taupe

2. NYX Micro Brow Pencil in MBP01 Taupe

1. It Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil in Universal Taupe

($24 for 0.005 oz. or $4.80 for 0.001 oz.)

I received a deluxe sample size of this brow pencil in my June 2015 ipsy glam bag and was so excited to try it. It does not disappoint. It is hard for me to find a brow pencil because my brows are dark and pretty full, but still need some filling in. I like that I can use a lighter hand with this to help lighten up my brows.

The product is not the typical shape of a brow pencil—it is a thicker oblong/oval shape. The shape can make it a little harder to be really precise with application. This isn’t much of an issue for me since my brows don’t need much work. Compared to the NYX pencil, the color of Brow Power is a lighter brown with a yellow undertone—it is on the grayer side, like taupe should be. The spoolie is bigger than one I would like for my brows.

It claims to have a special formulation that adheres the product to your skin so it won’t budge throughout the day and that the formulation mimics the look of natural hair. I feel like the product definitely stays in place, but it is no more natural looking than other brow pencils I’ve used. It is a good shade match though. It also claims to have a blend of brow-conditioning ingredients and vitamins. It is paraben, sulfate, phthalate, etc. free. For every pencil purchased, It Cosmetics donates one to a woman fighting cancer through their Cancer with Confidence program.

2. NYX Micro Brow Pencil in MBP01 Taupe

($10 for .003 oz. or $3.34 for 0.001 oz.)

I got this on sale at Ulta when NYX was buy one get one 50%. I’m looking for a cruelty-free drugstore brow pencil to replace my Maybelline Define-A-Brow.

The product is a thin, round retractable pencil. This shape makes it easy to get a very precise application. The product is harder to lay down than the It Cosmetics pencil though. Again, this makes for precise application but I feel like I have to push down harder than I should to dispense product into my brows. Compared to the It Cosmetics pencil, the color is a darker brown with a reddish undertone.

This claims to have a natural looking finish and to be precise, blendable and smudge resistant. I agree with the last three claims and, like the It Cosmetics pencil, it is no more natural looking on me than other brow pencils. It is a good shade match though.

And the Winner Is…

The NYX Micro Brow Pencil!

Both pencils perform similarly, but the NYX pencil has some features that I prefer—the traditional thin pencil shape (vs. the thicker oval of the It Cosmetics pencil) and the thinner spoolie that makes for more precise shaping of the brows. The two products are closer in price than I thought they would be; but then again, you can get NYX on sale making it even more inexpensive. I don’t think you can go wrong with either one and I would be happy to use either—this was a close battle!

Referral Links:

Starlooks: https://subscriptions.starlooks.com/?refer=REF5869 / Subscriptions.Starlooks.com

POPSUGAR: http://popsu.gr/uXzQ Save $5 off your first box with the code REFER5

Ebates: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=hbpGf26lDsl%2F2zOsOOaIRw%3D%3D&eeid=26471

Boxycharm: https://www.boxycharm.com/rewardsref/index/refer/id/41854/

at checkout enter the following code: M3d2Q1dTT21MR1RTNWJ0KzhRWUo0Z0lWWWtoRnVrZmk0NGNOVWY0MVBHRT0=

Monday, August 3, 2015

My Foundation Stash – What Will Be Left After Going Cruelty-Free?

**If you are receiving this post via email, you may want to check out my actual site as the email throws off the formatting**

I wanted to take stock of my foundations to see what is cruelty-free, and you also get to see all the foundations I have in my collection. I currently have four liquid foundations and one powder foundation.

Liquid Foundations

I really like all four of these foundations, but none are cruelty-free so I will not be re-purchasing them.

1. L’Oreal True Match Super-Blendable Makeup in Soft Ivory N1 Neutral. I included this foundation in my If I Could Only Have 5: Drugstore Edition post here. This is my favorite drugstore foundation. L

The next three were fully reviewed in Beauty Battle: Full Coverage Foundations. You can read that post here.

2. MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC15.

3. Revlon ColorStay Normal/Dry Skin in 150 Buff.

4. CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation in 810 Classic Ivory.

I’m searching for a cruelty-free liquid foundation to replace these. I will most likely use these four foundations up so that I don’t waste products (most I got for free—read how in my Saving Series posts here).

Powder Foundation

I have only one powder foundation. The good news is I like it and it’s cruelty-free so at least I’m left with one foundation! The other good news is it has been my favorite foundation lately so I don’t need to change up my routine immediately. I’m talking about:

5. tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation in Fair-Light Neutral. I reviewed this foundation in my June 2015 Favorites. Thankfully, Tarte is a cruelty-free brand. I think I get the most natural look from this foundation so no complaints that it’s the foundation I’m left with. I may need to get a lighter color but there are a lot of shades in the range.

Stay tuned for a review featuring a new (cruelty-free) liquid foundation I’ve been trying out.

What foundation(s) do you use? Let me know if you have any cruelty-free suggestions!

Referral Links:

Starlooks: https://subscriptions.starlooks.com/?refer=REF5869 / Subscriptions.Starlooks.com

POPSUGAR: http://popsu.gr/uXzQ Save $5 off your first box with the code REFER5

Ebates: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=hbpGf26lDsl%2F2zOsOOaIRw%3D%3D&eeid=26471