A Few of My Favorite Things

While browsing through Instagram today I saw that @Wootmakeup (http://instagram.com/wootmakeup) tagged everyone to show their favorite products! I didn't want to have a huge caption on Instagram, so here it is! 

Everyday Eye Essentials

• Urban Decay Primer Potion (original formula) 
• Maybelline Color Tattoo - Inked in Pink
• NYC Liquid Eyeliner - Black
• Maybelline MegaPlush - Black
• Maybelline Colossal Cat Eyes - Black
• CoverGirl Lash Perfection - Black

Favorite Shadows

• L'Oreal Infallible Shadow - Amber Rush
• NYX Nude Matte Shadow - Underneathe It All
• Rimmel Glam Eyes - Royal Linen
• Milani Single Shadow - Pearl
• Elf Baked Shadow - Bark
• Wet & Wild Trio - Walking on Eggshells
• Wet & Wild Trio - Silent Treatment

Face & Lips

• Milani Lipstick - Nude Creme
• Hard Candy Glamoflauge - Light
• Rimmel BB Cream - Light
• Revlon Colorstay Combination/Oily - Natural Beige
• Wet & Wild Coverall Pressed Powder - Light/Medium
• Milani Baked Blush - Luminoso
• Milani Baked Blush - Berry Amore
• Wet & Wild Coloricon Bronzer - Reserve Your Cabana

Did any of your favorites make the list?? Leave a comment here or on my Instagram (@jerseygirl1226).  If you want to share your favorite products be sure to tag me! 

Empties Part 2

Part 2 of my Empties since I had so many! 

Maybelline Superstay Concealer (Light Clair)

• Price: $6.49
• Contains: .18 fl. oz. 
• I know this is a "superstay" concealer, but I was still surprised by how quickly it dried.  You definitely need to work in sections, otherwise it will completely set before blend it in! 
• I was very pleased with the coverage, which did a great job of covering the discoloration I have on my cheeks. 
• Unfortunately, I haven't found a color that matches my skintone. 
• Bottom line: It has great coverage, but since I can't find a color that matches me, I probably won't buy this again. 

Maybelline The Falsies Volum' Express Mascara 

• Price: $5.99
• I did not have any problems with flaking or smudging! 
• Unfortunately it couldn't be used on the lower lash line since the bristles were way too long. 
• Normally I'm a big fan of Maybelline mascaras, but this was definitely a letdown for me. 
• I usually pair it work Maybelline MegaPlush and while it did help to build up a little extra volume, it was nothing that impressive. 
• Bottom line: Go for the Maybelline Colossal Cat Eyes instead! 

Sephora Age Defy Eye Cream 

• Price: Free sample from Sephora
• Contains: .06 fl oz. 
• Although I don't have any serious wrinkles around my eyes, I loved using this cream!  I could feel it tighten the skin and it was deeply moisturizing. 
• It was nice for days when my eye lids felt a bit dry, the cream would soak in and leave them soft and smooth. 
• Bottom line: If you have wrinkles or dry skin around the eyes, go for it!  

Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray

• Price: $14 (travel size) 
• Contains .51 fl. oz. 
• I have pretty oily skin which unfortunately makes my foundation tend to slip and slide a bit throughout the day.
• That being said, this setting spray is amazing!  I helps lock everything into place and it stays ALL.  DAY.  LONG. 
• Although it's a bit pricey, it totally lives up to its claims. 
• Bottom line: I have purchased the full size, but I'll probably go for the NYX setting spray next time. 

Have you tried any of these products?  Let me know! Xo

Empties Part 1!

I held off on doing empties for a bit, and of course now I have a huge pile!  So I'll be reviewing these in two posts.  Recently I've been trying out a lot of new makeup wipes, and unfortunately I haven't been too pleased.  If anyone has any suggestions, I'd love to hear them! 

Olay Fresh Effects Refreshing Make-Up Removal Cloths

• Price: $5.99
• Contains: 20 cloths 
• I had some high expectations for this product since the Olay brand is a bit expensive for a drugstore line. 
• Unfortunately, I was sadly disappointed.  The cloths were pretty dry, which made it difficult to remove my makeup without tugging on my eye area (a major pet peeve of mine!).
• As if that wasn't bad enough, the make-up removal solution stung my eyes!  
• Bottom line: Steer clear of the

Elf Studio Makeup Remover Cleansing Cloths

• Price: $3.00
• Contains: 20 cloths
• This was my second or third package of these wipes, so I am definitely a fan!  
• These are very moist, which makes them very gentle on the skin.  
• They quickly and easy remove eye makeup (even the tons of mascara I load on!).  
• Bottom line: Absolutely repurchase! 

Yes to Cucumbers Facial Towelettes

• Price: $2.08 (Target clearance) 
• Contains: 10 cloths
• I was excited to find these on clearance since this brand can be a bit pricey, but it was not worth the hype! 
• These are very dry, so they pulled my eye lids and usually pulled out a few lashes!  
• They also had a cooling effect, which unfortunately stung my eyes.
• Bottom line: Won't repurchase  

 Tend Skin Liquid Solution

• Price: $24.99
• Contains: 8 oz
• This product definitely helped cut down on ingrown hairs and razor bumps.
• Unfortunately it did almost nothing to stop post-shaving itch, which was the main reason I bought it.  
• Bottom line: I'm still on the lookout for a shaving solution!

Batiste Dry Shampoo (Floral & Flirty Blush)

•  
• Price: $3.99 (travel-size)
• Contains: 1.6 fl oz
• This does a fabulous job of absorbing oil and refreshing my hair!
• It also gives my hair a bit of volume at the roots.  
• Bottom line: I'm totally hooked and already bought a new one! 

Have you tried any of these products?  Let me know! Xo

Face of the Day!

Eyes

• Urban Decay Primer Potion (Original) 
• Maybelline Color Tattoo (LE shade - Lavish Lavender) 
• Pixie Shade Quartette (Shades of Taupe) 
• CoverGirl & Olay Simply Ageless Undereye Concealer (Light-Medium) 
• NYC Liquid Liner (Black)
• Benefit They're Real Mascara (Black) 
• Too Faced Lashgasm Mascara (Black) 

Face

• L'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base
• Hard Candy Glamoflauge Concealer (Light)
• Maybelline Superstay Foundation (Porcelain Ivory) 
• Elf High Definition Power (Clear) 
• Elf Blush & Bronzer duo (Original) 
• NYX Blush (Peach) 
• Revlon Colorstay Mineral Finishing Power (Brightening) 
• Urban Decay De-Slick Setting Powder

Lips

• NYX Lip Liner (Sand Pink)
• Revlon Superlusterous Lipstick (Gentlemen Prefer Pink) 
• NYX Mega Shine Lipgloss (Beige) 

Just a few August Empties!

Only used up a few things this month, but here they are: 

Clean & Clear Maximum Strength Persa-Gel 10

I  was hoping this gel would be a solution for my occasional breakouts.  And while it did help, it didn't reduce the size of the pimple or the redness as quickly as I would have hoped.  That said, it also took forever to use up!  The fact that it took so long to use may be part of the reason it didn't fight breakouts as intensely as I hoped since some products loose their strength over time.  It also caused extreme dryness and pealing (even on my oily skin!) if I had a stubborn pimple and applied it for a few days in a row.  Overall, I wasn't impressed and probably won't repurchase.  


Biore Deep Cleansing Pore Strips

Even though I used an entire box of these strips, I'm still on the fence about them.  I paid around $9 for a box with only 8 strips in it (a bit pricey for me). They did unclog some pores, but not all.  Within a few days, I found the pores getting clogged again. All in all, this product can unclog pores, but it doesn't provide a permanent solution.  So I'm still on the hunt for a good pore cleansing strip!  If you have any recommendations, please let me know!    




Olay 4-in1 Facial Cloths
Recently I've tried quite a few different makeup removing wipes, but these were the first ones that weren't pre-moistened (just run it under water for a few seconds immediately before use). These cloths did easily remove non-waterproof makeup, but they also bubble up a bit like a face wash.  I liked having the cleanser built in for my face, but not so much for my eyes.  It quickly left my eye lids dried out even though the box stated the cloths were soap-free.  So if you're looking for a cloths just to cleanse your face (and avoid the eye-area) rather than remove makeup, these may be a good option.  

Suave Kids Detangling Spray (Double Dutch Apple)

This most important thing about this product is that it smells amazing!  My hair usually gets pretty tangled after a shower, especially if it was scrunched, curled or teased beforehand. Just a few pumps of this spray helps to quickly and easily works out of the tangles, plus it's usually under $2 at Target.  Keep and eye out since, Target usually sells these in 2 packs so you can save a few pennies!  


So what did you use up this month??

Face of the Day!

Face of the Day from earlier this week.  Loved the way this came out! 

Face
Hard Candy Sheer Envy Primer
Rimmel BB Cream 9-in-1 Skin Perfecting Super Makeup (Light) 
Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless Eye Concealer (215 - Light Medium) 
Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder (011 - Creamy Natural)
Elf Contouring Bronzer
Milani Baked Blush (05 - Luminoso)






Brows
Sei Bella Brow Pencil (Sable)
Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara 

Eyes

Lorac Behind the Scenes Eye Primer

Maybelline Color Tattoo (35 - Tough as Taupe)

Urban Decay Naked Palette (Naked in the crease and Buck in the outer corner)

Sonia Kashuk Limited Edition Moroccan Dunes Eye Shadow Quad (packed the taupe shade all over the lid) 

Milani Eyeshadow  Single (09 - Pearl, as a highlight)

NYC Liquid Liner (Black) 

Physicians Formula Organic Wear Mascara (Black Organics) 

Too Faced Lashgasm Mascara (Black)

July Empties!

Here's all the products I used up this month! 

Harmon Skin-Refreshing Hydrating Toner
For the $4 price tag, this toner is a great buy!  This did a great job of cleaning my skin, easily removing leftover makeup without drying out my skin, plus it's alcohol-free.  

Maybelline Expert Eyes Eye Makeup Remover Towelettes
My favorite thing about this line is that it has finally been discontinued.  The towelettes clung to each other inside the packaging, making it difficult to pull out only one at a time.  I also prefer a moist towelette as it makes makeup removal quick and simple.  These were extremely dry, which left me tugging at my eye lids to remove makeup.  

Suave Naturals Body Wash (Cucumber Melon)
When it come to body wash, I look for a product which is affordable, has a fresh clean scent, and bubbles up in the shower.  I found all those things in the Suave Naturals line!  It has a great scent, but doesn't stay throughout the day, so I'm free to put on a perfume or body splash after the shower.  I'd absolutely recommend this body wash and can't wait to try some different scents from the line. 

Tree Hut Shea Sugar Body Scrub (Tropical Mango)
A few months ago I discovered this scrub while shopping with a friend and we were both instantly hooked!  The scent is absolutely wonderful and the price is even better (only $5.99 at Harmon Discount or Christmas Tree Shop).  I love using this on my legs and underarms before shaving.  Keep in mind this scrub is a bit abrasive, so if you have sensitive skin, you may want to bypass this one.  But I will definitely repurchase! 

Arbonne Aromassentials Sea Salt Scrub
This product came in a gift bag from a shower I recently attended, and while the scent is nice (but heavier than the Tree Hut scrub) overall, I wasn't thrilled.  It was EXTREMELY oily, a quality which I usually dislike for two reasons.  First, it takes up a lot of room in the jar, so I end up missing out on the product I paid for.  Second, it usually leaves a waxy residue on my legs which ends up clogging my razor and doesn't rinse off easily.  So this isn't a product I'd see myself using again in the future.  

Covergirl Lashblast Fusion (Black)
I'll be honest...I didn't completely use up this mascara :)  I got close to the end and accidentally didn't twist the brush back on all the way and left it like that overnight.  Overall, I liked this mascara since it was easy to separate and define my lashes.  The formula is pretty dry which seemed to stop clumps from building up.  I usually layer two mascara to build up the volume I want, so I usually used this as my base mascara to separate the lashes then finished with Benefit They're Real or L'Oreal Voluminous to really add volume. While it did work pretty well, this isn't an item I'd consider extremely unique or a staple in my collection.  

Aussie Sprunch Hairspray Finish (Strong Hold)
This is a product I've repurchased over and over again!  It's a must-have for summer.  In the heat and humidity I usually end up scrunching my hair weather it's down or up in a messy bun.  This spray helps to hold my natural curls and waves and smells great all day long!  I just spray into my towel dried hair and air dry or continue drying with a diffuser for more volume.   

Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Scrunching Gel (Level 3 - Strong Hold)
This product has a wonderful flowery-fresh scent to it.  I would run a bit of this through my hair after towel-drying to hold my curls (along with the Aussie Sprunch Hairspray) and put my hair into a messy bun overnight for added volume.  However, I felt like this was an unnecessary step since I was able to achieve the curls and volume I want using only the Aussie Sprunch Spray and Herbal Essences Mousse.  So I don't plan on repurchasing this.  

Degree Clinical Protection Motion Sense (Sheer Powder)
This deodorant is my absolute favorite!  It smells just like baby powder (one of my favorite scents for smelling like I just stepped out of the shower). While I'm running around at work, I love knowing this will keep me nice and fresh all throughout the day.  My only complaint is it does occasionally leave white marks on dark clothes, but I will continue to use this product! 

What products did you use up this month??

Face of the Day!

Here's a look at today's makeup!  

Here's the breakdown of today's products: 

Face

Hard Candy Sheer Envy Skin Perfecting Primer

Maybelline Superstay Concealer (Light Clair)

Revlon Colorstay Whipped (370 - Natural Tan)

Covergirl & Olay Simple Ageless Undereye Concealer (215 - Light Medium)

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder (011 - Creamy Natural)

Elf Contouring Blush & Bronzer (Blushed/Bronzed)

Color Concepts Blush (Fashion Blush 1) 

Eyes

Lorac Behind the Scenes Eye Primer

Maybelline Color Tattoo (Pomegranate Punk)

NYX Ultra Pearl Mania (24 - Penny Pearl, all over lid)

Lorac Pro Palette (buffed Taupe into crease & Sable into outer corner)

NYC Liquid Liner (Black)

Maybelline Mega Plush Mascara (Very Black)

Maybelline Colossal Volum' Express Cat Eyes (Glam Black)

Brows

Sei Bella Eyebrow Pencil (Sable)

Maybelline Great Lash Clear Mascara

Lips

Revlon Colorburst Lipbutter (095 - Creme Brulee)

Rimmel Stay Glossy Lip Gloss (120 - Non-Stop Glamour) 

Blush isn't Scary

"Blush isn't scary."  That's something I had to keep reminding myself of over the past few months.  Since I have so much rosacea on my cheeks, that scared me away from wearing blush for years.  It always took so much work to cover the redness, the last thing I wanted to do was put color back on my face.  So recently, I'd been struggling to find a color that worked with my complex and wasn't overwhelming.  I first started with a few pink blushes, particularly NYX's Peach (which really is pink, despite the name lol) and blush in Elf's Contouring Blush & Bronzer.  And while both were beautiful colors, I wasn't really thrilled with either.  Then one day at Target, I came across the Milani Baked Blush and picked up No. 5 Luminoso.  This has quickly become my favorite every-day blush.  I love the soft peach glow it gives.  It has a slight shimmer, but no noticeable chunks of glitter.  It's very pigmented, but blends out beautifully.  I wouldn't have thought to jump to a peach blush right away, but every day I'm shocked at the natural glow it gives.  This color has quickly become a staple in my every day makeup. It's definitely worth checking out! 

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TiffanyD: MAC Archie's Girls Collection SWATCHES

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ShimmerNSparkle26: Mid-week Manicure!

ShimmerNSparkle26: Mid-week Manicure!: Just thought I'd share my manicure from this week!  I'm wearing OPI: Meet Me on the Star Ferry & Nicole OPI: Rainbow in the S-Kylie.  I us...

Mid-week Manicure!

Just thought I'd share my manicure from this week!  I'm wearing OPI: Meet Me on the Star Ferry & Nicole OPI: Rainbow in the S-Kylie.  I usually don't splurge on these brands, since they are a bit expensive, but last week, I was in Target and found the Nicole OPI Kardashian Kolors on clearance.  I was able to buy two polishes for $5, and I simply could not pass up that opportunity!  Then I found the OPI at a discount store in my local mall for only $6.  

Please comment or share this blog if you enjoyed it!  Thanks!

ShimmerNSparkle26: Is it still Lotion if it's a Liquid?

ShimmerNSparkle26: Is it still Lotion if it's a Liquid?: No matter what type of skin you have: normal/dry, combo/oily (or anything in between) a good moisturizer should be a staple of your beauty...

Is it still Lotion if it's a Liquid?

No matter what type of skin you have: normal/dry, combo/oily (or anything in between) a good moisturizer should be a staple of your beauty routine.  That's why I was excited to try the Elf Lotion Wipes.  (These were an item I received for free in an Elf Mystery Bag a few months ago.)  When I first saw the packaging of this product, it immediately reminded me of the Elf Studio Makeup Remover Cleansing Clothes (a product I absolutely love), so I assumed the two products would be pretty similar.  

Unfortunately, I was totally disappointed with this item.  The cloths were drenched with a liquidy type of lotion.  It turned out to be nothing more than a huge mess.  I was actually able to squeeze lotion out of this cloth with little effort.  Once I wiped the cloth all over my face, my skin was soaking wet and I ended up having to massage the "lotion" into my face after using the cloth and wipe my hands off afterwards.  

It seemed to take FOREVER to use up these wipes.  I was relieved when I finally got to the bottom of this package.  Another thing to keep in mind with this item: the Lotion Wipes are the same price as the Makeup Remover Cloths ($3), but the Removers come with 20 wipes, while the Lotion Wipes only include 15 wipes.  I understand $3 isn't much money, but considering the great value Elf has on other items, this seems like a bit of a rip off.  I would suggest avoiding these at all cost.    

Please comment or share this blog if you enjoyed it!  I'd appreciate any feedback, thanks! 

High End Quality, Low End Price

If you're a makeup junkie (like myself), you know that if you don't have a serious eye primer, putting on eyeshadow is nothing more than a waste of time.  Without primer, eyeshadow begins fading and creasing within a few hours.  Using a primer keeps the colors vibrant and stops them from fading throughout the day.

Although a few drug store brands are beginning to develop eye primers, none seem to hold up against brands such as Urban Decay or Too Faced.  Over the past few years, I've been using Urban Decay's Primer Potion in "Eden" on a daily basis.  It's a  fabulous product which does everything it claims to.  Between running from school to work, I've really put this primer to the test and it's come through for me every time, stopping my shadows from fading, keeping my eye makeup crease-free the entire day, and creating a smooth surface to work with.  Some days I'll be out of the house for 12-14 hours so I need some serious staying-power.

So I think it's safe to say I have a pretty high standard when it comes to eye primers, which is why I didn't believe a lower-end product would be able to get the job done.  I was stunned by the NYX High Definition Eye Shadow Base.  This product completely exceeded all my expectations!  It gives me the staying-power I need and creates an incredibly smooth base to work with.  This is an amazing and affordable product and I really don't see myself repurchasing Urban Decay's Primer Potion.  

The only major difference between these two products, is color and texture.  The NYX base is much smoother and feels more like a face primer than the Urban Decay one.  (The texture reminds me of NYX's Shine Killer or Hard Candy's Sheer Envy Primer).  And for those of you who have used Urban Decay, you know some of their primers are a tinted and provide a bit of coverage for any discoloration on the eye lids.  The NYX base dries almost clear so if you are looking to cover any redness, this may be a product you'll want to pass on.

(I know NYX Cosmetics line can be a more difficult to find, which is unfortunate since it's such a great brand.  All of NYX cosmetics are also hypoallergenic and cruelty-free!  I usually buy mine from Ulta, Sears or Harmon Discount Health & Beauty.  Some people have also found NYX in Christmas Tree Shops, so keep your eyes open!)

http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?skuId=2225922&productId=xlsImpprod3020041&navAction=push&navCount=1&subdoc=51nyx20off&categoryId=cat40006

Search for the "Perfect" Concealer

In my opinion, concealer is one of the most important products in any makeup collection.  We all have a few blemishes, birth marks or acne scars that could use a little help, but finding that "help" is easier said than done.  There are an overwhelming amount of products on the market, each with more outrageous claims than the next.      

 Over the years, I've tried a variety of concealers: L'Oreal True Match, Maybelline Superstay, Maybelline Fit Me, Elf Concealer and so on.  And while none of these turned out to be a particularly horrible product, I wasn't overly impressed by any of them.  I've been searching for a concealer able to tackle my rosacea.  It seemed no matter which concealer or foundation I tried, and no matter how much I put on, my rosacea always managed to show through.  And just to be clear, it's not the "cute" rosacea that gives you those great rosy pink cheeks, it's a variety of different shades of splotchy pink all over my cheeks which can change shades constantly.

After years of unsuccessful searching, I have finally found my solution: Hard Candy Glamoflauge Concealer.  This concealer completely covers my rosacea while using only a minimal amount of product.  While the consistency is very thick, it easily blends out and provides maximum coverage.  A small amount will go far.  When I first used this product, I was shocked.  After covering my rosacea, my skin tone was almost completely evened out!  I could even skip foundation if I wanted to.  All I need is a bit of power on top, and I'm ready to go!  And what is the price for this amazing product?  Only $6 at your local Walmart.  I don't know if there's any such thing as the "perfect" concealer, but this comes pretty close.

Check it out!
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Hard-Candy-Glam-Concealer-Light-312/15599851