Revlon ColorStay Longwear Nail Enamel

I had such high hopes for this stuff. I searched 3 different stores for it and couldn't wait to try it out. And then...let down.

I usually don't like the Revlon nail polishes. They are streaky, watery and chip almost immediately on me. And they don't have any super exciting colors. But I was willing to give the ColorStay a chance. They are supposed to be crazy long wearing (if you use Revlon base and top coat...which are crap, so I didn't) and allege to have a "gel-like" finish. Which, they do. If you can get past the goopy thickness which still ends up with a streaky finish. The brush is a messy nightmare, no matter how many times you wipe it, the handle just keeps sending polish down that brush like a faucet. It's stiff and wide and inevitably ends up all over your cuticles no matter how careful you are. The worst part? It takes FOREVER to dry. Even with Seche Vite top coat. Seriously, I applied it Saturday and 2 hours later it was still denting and moving. I took it off and reapplied yesterday thinking I hadn't given it enough time and 7 hours later, it still was "tacky" to the touch. It's the wierdest thing. I got it in Cafe Pink which is a lovely pink cream shade and would have been awesome for the slick glossy finish, but you can still see through it even after 2 coats. I would have done 3 but it's just too thick. It never would have dried.

End result: Wah, wah, wah...these are not awesome and lived up to my preconceived notions of Revlon nail polishes. Just not great quality in my opinion. Great concept, less than stellar end result.



Maybelline Express Finish Nail Polish Spring 2012

I walked past these tonight at Fred Meyers and had to get them. I intended to get some of the Revlon Colorstay polishes but both colors I wanted were out of stock. Then I saw these and it was love.

I got Tulip Tango and Rose Petal Paradise. Tulip Tango is a warm borderline neon coral. Rose Petal Paradise is a very soft pink. Sheer but not streaky. Feminine and lovely. I used it for my manicure tonight.

I like these polishes because they dry in under 60 seconds and they are decently long wearing. These two colors are part of the spring collection that is a mix of bright and soft colors. A very pretty limited edition collection!

Fresh, Dewy Foundation Trick

I know it's awful but I'm a full fledged, card carrying sun worshipper. We have a pool and a boat and we are outside ALL THE TIME in the summer. We all tan pretty easily even with sunscreen.

Anywhoo...this weekend included a lot of yardwork and sunshine and even though I had SPF 25 on my face, I still got some sun. Add this to my AcneFree regimen and you get dry skin. This creates a nightmare when trying to apply makeup for work on Monday.

Here's a little tried and true trick I use for dry skin and one I always use during the summer to get a nice, even foundation application. I always use foundation wedges for this, get them damp, squeeze out the excess water and then dab the foundation off the back of your hand and apply by dabbing sponge around the face. Don't rub, you'll just irritate the dry skin.  I use Neutrogena Healthy Skin foundation in Nude.

The water in the sponge keeps your foundation from just being absorbed in the sponge and gives it a much fresher, dewier application. I promise, it doesn't water down your foundation. You actually use less with this technique and it lasts all day.

Easy fix for dry skin and a great trick to cool off that hot summer skin. I tend to use less foundation (if any) in the summer anyway but this is a great tip for the days when you do need some extra coverage but don't want a heavy "mask" of makeup on.

Drugstore Dupe #2 for MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural

The first dupe I found for MSFN was the Neutrogena Mineral Sheers, which I still love. However, I think this product may juuuuuuuust be eeking it out to be #1.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Protector Finishing Powder. Not only is it more affordable at $8, it also has a slight shimmer to it which makes your skin look luminous rather than the matte finish of the Mineral Sheer.

It contains gogi berry and also has an SPF of 25 which is impressive for a powder. It feels very silky on, applies really smoothly with a brush and in my opinion gives better finish and coverage than Mineral Sheers and most importantly...MSFN.

Not only is this a dupe, but I actually like it BETTER than both. Maybelline has been hitting them out of the park lately and this is no exception.

5 Products for a 5 Minute Face

Let's be honest...there are mornings when I don't feel like busting out the entire makeup kit and doing a whole "face" of makeup. It's laziness or lack of time or sometimes I just don't want the feel of all that on my face, sometimes I want something easy and fresh.

I've created a look using 5 items that don't require a bunch of tools or time and still looks lovely. It can be done in under 5 minutes, lasts all day and looks polished and done. No one has to know it only took you 5 minutes.

Here are the products:

Origins VitaZing- As a moisturizer and light foundation in one
Maybelline Bouncy Blush in Hot Tamale-Applied with a finger on the apples of the cheeks
Maybelline Dream Lumi Highlighting Concealer-Under eyes, around nose, top of cheekbones. Makes you look awake.
Maybelline Color Tattoo cream eyeshadow in Bad to the Bronze-applied with a fingertip, more on the lid and then fade out to the brow bone
CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara- Top and bottom lashes

And if I have 2 extra seconds, I'll use Revlon Lip Butter in Peach Parfait.

Easy Peasy!

bareMinerals READY Eyeshadow 4.0

How COOL is this??

If you are like me, you love the colors and the payoff of bareMinerals loose eyeshadows but hate how completely inconvenient they are. They are messy, definitely not for use on-the-go. But the colors are SOOO PRETTY.

What's a girl to do?

Enter the bareMinerals READY Eyeshadow 4.0 quads. All the beauty of their loose eyeshadows, in a silky pressed form, 4 complimentary shadows in one handy on-the-go quad. These retail for $30.

Seriously...amazeballs.

I got this in "The Truth" quad which features the following colors:

Serendipitous- Soft pinky/peach highlight shade
Magnetism- Shimmering taupe
Fate- Mocha with some sheen
Apropos- Dark matte brown with some sparkle (I see the sparkle in the pan but it doesn't transfer to the lid)




photo courtesy of Sephora.com



These are SUPER pigmented, very blendable, long wearing and feel SO nice on. They never crease or fade. I've found that using the Magnetism shade over the Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze makes an eye look that will literally last you ALL DAY LONG.

I'm not going to post a picture of my palette because I use it every single day and it looks like it. If you are interested in seeing all 5 of these quads visit: http://www.bareescentuals.com/.

Favorite Blushes

Oh blush...

Is there anything better than an awesome blush? One that makes you look fresh and awake while also giving you a healthy glow and makes your whole face come alive?

I tend to lean towards more apricot, rose, peachy shades of blush. I just find on my skin, these are the flattering shades and the ones I always go for.

Here are 5 of my tried and true, repurchased several times, favorite blushes:

As you can CLEARLY see, some of these are VERY loved. All the way to the pan. Don't judge.

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Peach Satin. This is so FUN, and feels so wierd and awesome. I have a few of these but this is the shade I always grab. You can apply it with your fingers or I've also had nice results with a foundation brush (now dedicated only to cream blushes). This is almost spongy, you don't wipe product out of it, you almost tap your finger in and some transfers over. It's literally BOUNCY. These go on sheer but are easily buildable, you can wear them alone or almost as a blush "primer" and apply another powder blush on top to set it. They are long wearing and very pretty on.

ELF Blushing Bronzer. I think I have used this in some form every single day since I purchased it. I've purchased 2 more as gifts. This is AWESOME! Lovely pigmented peachy blush.

MAC in Peachykeen. Obviously well loved. I've repurchased this a few times.  It is a gorgeous deep peach with golden sheen. SO flattering and so saturated, you don't need much to get great results with this one.

CoverGirl Classic Color blush in Soft Mink. I have used this blush for over 15 years. It is one I always have on hand, it is universally flattering, it's got enough sheen to make your skin glowy but is not sparkly. This blush is just amazing and so beautiful.

Physician's Formula Mineral Glow Pearls Blush in Rose Pearl. One of the pinkiest blushes I own but SO incredibly gorgeous. Even in the package, it's pretty. Several shades of rose all in one package, swirl your brush across it and see amazing results. It's also shimmery, but not overwhelmingly so. This blush is buildable, but you see instant results. You don't have to use much and it's such a great, romantic look.

What are some of your favorite blushes? Any I should try?

Urban Decay Naked Palette

I am always pleasantly surprised when someone doesn't know about this little beauty. I love filling them on on all of it's magical powers. The name is a little saucy and the product is so impressive.

If you are one of the few who know zilch about this palette, be prepared to be amazed!

You get all of the greatness of Urban Decay eyeshadows all grouped together into a velvety, chocolate brown case with a mirror. You get 12 eyeshadows, a good karma brush and a small primer potion when you purchase this kit. It's sold for a little under $50, but when you think about how much you are getting it is definitely a worthy investment.

If you like neutral, nude, warm or earthtoned eyeshadows, this is for you. You can do very natural eye looks and can also do intense smoky eyes. You get nudes, golds, bronzes, blacks ans grays. The sky is truly the limit with all of these choices.

In order of appearance you get:

Virgin- Soft, iridescent highlight shade

Sin- Pale shimmery rose gold

Naked- Matte medium nude flesh tone

Sidecar- Sparkly, glittery taupe (has some fallout)

Buck- Matte dark nude flesh tone

Half Baked- Super pigmented gold

Smog- Medium bronze

Darkhorse- Dark brown with gold flecks

Toasted- Dark rose gold

Hustle- Cool toned shimmery brown

Creep- Black with multitonal shimmer

Gunmetal- Sparkly gunmetal gray

In my opinion, I feel like this is a must have item for any makeup collection. There are just so many eye look options, the quality and pigmentation is exceptional so it will last you forever and it is even cute sitting with your makeup. I highly recommend!

Do you have a Naked Palette? What do you think about it?

Nail of The Day

Had a set of gel polish on for about 2 weeks but Easter and dying eggs did them in. Freshened my nails up last night with a little at home manicure. Used NYC color in Times Square Tangerine, Essie Shine of the Times top coat with Seche Vite top coat. Fun, bright, spring mani!

Revlon ColorStay Eyeliners

Good morning! Hope everyone had a lovely Easter.

While out on the hunt for some goodies for little man's Easter basket, I came across these eyeliners from Revlon. I was kind of instantly smitten. Revlon ColorStay Liquid Eye Pen in blackened brown and Revlon ColorStay Eyeliner in black. They allege they last for 16 hours.

I've been on a liquid eyeliner kick for a long time now, usually using Almay in Brown Topaz or Loreal Lineur Intense in Carbon Black (the holy grail). But I've been looking for a pencil eyeliner that doesn't smudge. I hate it when I look in the mirror half way through the day and can see where the eyeliner has rubbed against my eyelid/browbone area. Gross.

I put them to the test, swatched both on the back of my hands, hopped in the shower, washed my hair, they were both impressively long lasting and stayed on throughout. I will say, the pencil version only slightly outlasted the pen version, but I think that's because it's more saturated in color.

The pen version is really nice, it's a very precise pen so you can get in as close to your lash line as possible and it makes a very nice, clean line. The pencil is a self sharpening one.

I haven't had any problems with transfer, rubbing, wearing off, fading, flaking or clumping of either version. It's not like they are waterPROOF, if you rub them with water, they will come off. But if you were to wear them for a long day or you hopped in a pool and didn't touch your eyes, I'd say these eyeliners would stay put! They also had a nice color selection, the liquid eye pen comes in blackest black, black and blackened brown. The pencil comes in black, black brown, brown, charcoal, navy, blackberry and cocoa.

Favorite Lip Products

Next to foundation, I am almost as obsessed with lip products. I am also very picky about lip products. I do not like them too sticky, too scented, too "slippery", or gritty. I also prefer that the color payoff on my lips somewhat resembles the color in the tube. There are few things more annoying than finding a gorgeous color, putting it on and having it only make your lips look shiny, NO COLOR. What's the point?? So here are a few of my favorite, tried and true lippies:

Rimmel Lipstick in Airy Fairy: I am not a big fan of nude lipsticks. They make me look like death warmed over. However, this is a warmed up, pinky nude that never looks too pale or fake. It's flattering on and lasts so long. This one is always in my purse.

Korres Lip Butter in Jasmine: There is not really any color associated with this product, but that's ok. It's a sheer neutral pink in the tube. Which, I love the tube. You used to only be able to get these in the pots and I always felt like that was gross and messy. The tube is nice. It feels luscious on. Paraben and sulfate free, it just melts into your lips. Great on it's own or under your favorite lip color. Deeply moisturizing without being greasy. A classic!

NARS Lip Gloss in Orgasm: You know I love this color. It's golden, peachy and super saturated. The only thing about NARS is that I don't love the "flavor" of their lip glosses. They smell slightly more plasticky than I prefer, but the payoff is pretty impressive.

Clinique Lipstick in Fizy: I honestly don't even think they make this color anymore, but it's been a favorite for YEARS. I ratholed a whole bunch of them and am down to my last tube, so I'm making it last forever. This is of those colors that just makes your whole face pop and look alive. It's like a warmer, bronzey neutral that just works. The formula is great, long wearing and creamy.

BareMinerals Lip Gloss in Cupcake: I really like this color, but in general...I love this whole line of lip glosses. I have several. This one is so loved it's almost gone, but the others are just as awesome. They smell so good, feel awesome on and have a great payoff. Never sticky, also paraben and sulfate free. Like a lipgloss and a lip treatment all in one.

Not pictured (Because it's in my purse...ALWAYS):

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Peach Parfait: The greatest thing ever. This is one of the only ones of the lip butters with shimmer, it's the prettiest shade. These feel like chapstick but have color like lipsticks, they are amazing. Easy to apply, awesome color payoff, great selection. These lip butters are a must-have product.

What are some of your favorite lip products?

ELF Birthday Goodies

My neice is turning 12 tomorrow. I can't believe it. She's so beautiful and smart and I just want her to stay just like this forever. But I know she won't...She's starting to get her toes wet with makeup so I decided to get her a little starter kit of things I like that would be appropriate for her to use and also easy for her to replenish if she likes them. She's only 12, I didn't want it to be too expensive for her to buy for herself.

Our Target just started carrying a larger selection of ELF. Which is great, I've been buying their Studio line off their website for a while. I ended up getting her:

Tinted Moisturizer in Porcelain
Eyelash Curler
Blushing Bronzer (which I love so much I bought another as a gift!)
Lengthening and Defining Mascara in Black
Eyeshadow Brush and Eye Defining Brush
Waterproof Eyeliner Pen in Black
Essentials Eye Quads in Drama, Silver Lining and Day 2 Night
Essential Luscious Lipstick in Perfect Pink and Baby Lips

I also got her 3 NYC nail polishes in fun summer shades, a top coat, mini shave cream, a shower poof and Ponds Makeup Removing cloths.

I hope she'll love it all! You can view the entire ELF (eyes lips face) line here:

http://www.eyeslipsface.com/