Makeup Moment

Christina Aguilera: Royal Desire

2012-02-22T02:19:00.006-05:00

I recently got the opportunity to try Christina Aguilera's latest fragrance, Royal Desire ($37.00-$47.00). I am not very familiar with her fragrances so, I was really happy to try this one. This fragrance comes with a mission-to make women feel special. And, I think its safe to say that we all deserve to feel this way. Christina wanted this fragrance to remind women that they need to take time everyday to treat themselves, and "feel sexy and beautiful". This fragrance is for you, if you love to feel desirable and want to have the "sensual elegance of a queen".

Royal Desire is an Eau De Parfum that contains notes of marshmallow, lily, honeysuckle, yuzu citrus, iris, rose, blackcurrant, cedarwood, and sandalwood. The fruity and musky notes come together to create a delicious scent that is sure to make an impression, on those who appreciate a scent of this sort. When I first spritz this fragrance on my wrists, I immediately detect the lovely floral scent. Then pretty soon, the musky notes creep in. I really do love floral and musky fragrances. When both the floral and muskiness are combined in a fragrance, it is a lovely treat. I get the best of both in one fragrance.

I really liked the soft pink and brown box packaging design. The brown bow adds such a fun element to the perfume. Actually, the packaging was designed this way intentionally, to evoke the feeling of a gift that one can't wait to unwrap. The bottle design is precious. It contains a removable heart charm with the initials CA, engraved on it. If you take a look at the back of the box packaging picture below, you will notice that the charm you receive depends on the size of the fragrance that you get. The 50ml bottle of Royal Desire contains a fleur de lis charm, while the 15ml size contains a fan-shaped charm.

When it comes to lasting power, on me, this fragrance holds strong for about 3-4 hours. By then, the floral notes would have faded away, and all I am left with is a hint of musky, sweetness. I like that this fragrance is not overpowering, like other scents can be. It is a very comfortable scent to wear and I would say that it's one that is appropriate to sport day, or night.

Overall, I truly enjoyed using Royal Desire. I can't wait to wear it for a night out. My 24th birthday is coming up next week so, this shall be my scent of choice for the occasion. Love!

Have any of you tried Christina Aguilera's Royal Desire Fragrance?

Disclaimer: This product was provided by PR for posting consideration. I am not being compensated for this review, and my reviews are always 100% honest.

Beauty Crave

2012-02-21T03:27:00.003-05:00

Hey dolls! I hope you are all doing well and enjoying your day. Today, I want to share with you all my recent beauty cravings. Here are the latest products that have intrigued me lately.

1. Buxom True Hue Blush ($24.00)- I have been itching for a new blush and, I think the new ones by Buxom may just be what I am looking for. The true hue blushes are said to have buildable coverage, and a smooth texture. What's really interesting is that these contain rhodiola. Rhodiola is a root of a plant that helps give cheeks a refreshing look. Sounds interesting.

2. Dior Lip Palette ($46.00)- I think I only own one or two lip palettes. I don't know why I don't have more because I think they are great for traveling. You don't have to carry a whole bunch of lipsticks at once-something I always tend to do. In this palette you will find two lipsticks, one lip gloss, one lip balm, and double ended lip brushes. Love the different options. The adorable tweed case with a bow is an added bonus that adds to the cuteness factor.

3. POP Beauty Nail Glam in Mint Magic ($10.00)- This is such a pretty pastel-like aqua blue color. So perfect for the coming Spring/Summer months. I have never tried POP beauty nail colors before. I always see them at my local Duane Reade store. I definitely have to pick one up to try, sometime.

4. Urban Decay Naked 2 Eyeshadow Palette ($50.00)- I own the Urban Decay Naked eyeshadow palette and, I have been debating on weather or not I want to pick up Naked 2. I tell myself that I don't need it and that the colors are easily dupe-able. But honestly, I know I am going to give in soon. Urban Decay eyeshadows are great quality and, I really enjoy using them. I think this palette will be a good investment, seeing as these are colors that I use almost daily.

5. Bare Escentuals Bare Minerals Ready Eyeshadow Palette in The Dream Sequence ($30.00)- Aren't these colors gorgeous? I really like purple eyeshadows. I think they compliment my brown eyes beautifully. What is really cool about these eyeshadows is that they contain antioxidants, caffeine, and cucumber. These good for your skin ingredients not only deliver anti-aging properties, but they also help with depuffing the eye are as well. Sounds really neat!

What beauty products have you all been craving, lately?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above.

MAC Watch Me Simmer Lipstick

2012-02-20T23:16:00.002-05:00

MAC recently released their latest collection titled, Shop MAC, Cook MAC. From my understanding, this collection is split into two. Shop MAC is the first one, and that one consists of eyeshadow quads, lipsticks, kissable lipcolours, and cremeblend blushes. Cook MAC is the other and that one is in charge of carrying the fluidlines, mascara, tendertone lip balms, nail polishes, brushes, and careblend pressed powders. If you are a fan of color, this collection is one worth checking out, for sure. Also, isn't the box packaging with the bubbles, adorable? So fun!

Although the collection is pretty neat, I was set on getting one specific item from the Shop MAC portion of the collection. Say hello to Watch Me Simmer ($14.50).

Natural daylight, no flash

Watch Me Simmer is a semi-cool pink/coral color. This one has an amplified finish-one of my favorite MAC lipstick finishes. The texture of this lipstick is super creamy and smooth, plus I get a little extra shine to boot. Such a joy to apply. As soon as I spotted Watch Me Simmer, I immediately fell in love with the color. Its so very spring/summer appropriate. I just know that I am going to be reaching for this color frequently, as soon as it starts to warm up here in New York.

I don't know if I am going to be picking up any other items from the collection. I am really intrigued with the eyeshadow quads,though. As of now, I am seeing that on the MAC website, the lipsticks in this collection are not available for purchase, right now. They have a "coming soon" note though so, I am assuming that they will be available to purchase online soon. In the meantime, make sure to keep checking the MAC website to spot when the lipsticks will become available again. I got my lipstick in my nearby MAC store. If you can't wait until the lipsticks are available online, I suggest going to your local MAC counter to check them out.

P.S. If you want to see a look of the day post featuring this lipstick, click HERE.

What do you all think of Watch Me Simmer? Did any of you pick up this lipstick or, any other item from MAC's latest collection?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased this product for my personal use.

MAC Ruby Woo Lipstick

2012-02-20T16:09:00.001-05:00

I have been longing for a classic, show-stopping red lipstick for quite sometime. I do have a few lovely red lipsticks in my collection but, I had something else in mind. I wanted a red lipstick that would make me feel glamorous and fabulous. And MAC's Ruby Woo Lipstick ($14.50), does just that.

Ruby Woo is a vivid red, that contains a matte finish. My swatch pictures do not do this beauty any justice. It is so much more vibrant than the pics are showing. I can't explain it. It is something you all need to experience for yourselves. Once on the lips, the color is simply breathtaking.

I was a tad worried about this lipstick being on the matte side. My lips are prone to dryness so, I tend to look for lipsticks that have some slip to them. When applying this lip color, I noticed that the texture was a tad drier than I am normally used to but, as long as the lips are prepped and moisturized properly beforehand, application shouldn't be a problem.

In my lip swatch picture above, I actually forgot to apply a lip balm under Ruby Woo and it still looked pretty good on. My lower lip was much drier than my top lip was and, I was happy to see that this color did not enhance my dryness too much. The matte finish not only prolongs wear time, but it also adds that fun pin-up, retro glam look. Of course, if matte finishes aren't your thing, you can always layer a gloss on top, to add a bit of shine.

Here I am sporting Ruby Woo on the lips. I can't wait to pair this bright red lip color with a smokey eye or, a neutral eye with heavy winged liner, for a night out on the town. Fun! I think this red lip color is one that will compliment everyone, and I definitely think you all should give it a try.

What do you all think of Ruby Woo? What are your favorite red lipsticks?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased this product for my personal use.

L'oreal Voluminous Smoldering Eyeliner

2012-02-20T02:37:00.008-05:00

When it comes to pencil eyeliners, I am always on the lookout for ones that will give me impressive color payoff. I am not talking about a hint of color, I am looking for the real deal. I have tried my fair share of black pencil eyeliners and, although I have found a few that I like and use frequently, I think it's safe to say that I still haven't found the 'one'. The current pencil eyeliner that I use most is Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero. I really like how creamy it is but, I have come to realize that the black pigment isn't as deep as I want it to be, and the lasting power hasn't been so great either. Quite frankly, I know that there are better black eyeliner pencils out there. Besides good color payoff, I am also looking for a pencil eyeliner that is long lasting.

In the hopes of finding a good long lasting, and well pigmented pencil eyeliner, I decided to pick up L'oreal's Voluminous Smoldering Eyeliner ($9.49) while on my last trip to Duane Reade, and put it to the test. Read on to find out what I thought about it!

What intrigued me most about this pencil eyeliner was the fact that it was "kajal inspired". Kajal eyeliner is widely used in India and in other parts of the world, and it is famous for its intense color payoff.

First, the size of the pencil is adorable. I like that its short because that way, I can get much more control when I am lining my eyes. Sometimes my hands are not very steady so, I need all the control I can get. I absolutely love the fine tip. It's a great feature because not only does it give me control when it comes to how thick or thin I want the line to be, its also easy to achieve a sharp winged eye look with it as well. If you start to notice the tip is not as fine anymore, just sharpen the pencil with the included sharpener (bonus!).

In the eye picture above, I have applied this pencil eyeliner not only on my lower waterline but also on my top lash line, as well. I don't usually apply eye pencils on my top lash line, only because I have really oily lids and pencil eyeliners tend to smear and fade quickly up there. So instead, I mostly rely on cream/gel eyeliners, to line my top lash line. They last much longer on me, I think. Because of this, I usually reserve the use of pencil eyeliners for my waterline. But, I was curious to see how this pencil eyeliner would hold up, and look like on my top lash line and, I am happy to report that it did not disappoint. This eyeliner contains a smooth and creamy texture, that makes application a breeze. The color is so rich and deep, it doesn't even look like I lined my eyes with a pencil, but rather a cream/gel eyeliner. I also noticed how easy it was to get the rich color payoff. One-two swipes did the trick. All in all, the end result is just gorgeous!

As for lasting power...nothing to worry much about in that department. When it came to my waterline, the liner held on for about 4-5 hours. I started noticing the color fade away on hour four. This is really not a deal breaker for me because, realistically I don't expect a pencil eyeliner to last more than a few hours on my waterline. Now, here is the really impressive part. This eyeliner lasted all day on my top lash line. I had it on for 8 hours and it did not budge or fade. Even though I only had this eyeliner on for 8 hours, I am pretty sure that it has the potential to last a few hours more if need be. Also, I noticed absolutely no smudging anywhere on my eye area throughout the day, so that was quite impressive. Lastly, removal was not troublesome at all. Everything wiped away easily with eye makeup remover. I want to mention that I did apply an eye primer before I used this eye pencil. I have really oily lids so, an eye primer is a must for me.

As I mentioned before, this pencil eyeliner comes with a very handy, sharpener. Definitely a great bonus because, one doesn't have to go insane searching for a pencil sharpener that will contain a big enough opening, that will sharpen this specific eye pencil shape.

Overall, I think this eye pencil is a winner, and I really like it. The rich pigmentation is there, lasting power is pretty good and, you can easily find this pencil eyeliner in drugstores. I don't know if this pencil eyeliner is the 'one', or if I will ever find the perfect one for me. But, I know that I will repurchase this product and, I am definitely going to add it to my daily routine.

What do you all think of the L'oreal Voluminous Smoldering Eyeliner? Which are your favorite pencil eyeliners?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased this product for my personal use.

Wet n' Wild Megalast Nail Colors: 2% Milk, Club Havana

2012-02-16T16:06:00.002-05:00

I think I am finally getting over my phase of glittered nail colors. Slowly but surely, I have been gravitating more towards the more brighter and muted nail colors. Perfect timing too because, spring is just right around the corner. So, when I spotted a display of Wet n' Wild's Megalast Nail Colors ($1.99, each), I thought, what better time to feed my recent nail color craving? I decided on two nail color shades that stood out to me, most. Let's take a look at 2% Milk, and Club Havana.

But first, here are some quick facts about this nail formula (source):

1. Opaque long lasting nail colors

2. Remain chip-resistant for 5 days

3. The polish formula contains calcium and mineral, which help prevent nail discoloration

4. Free from Toluene, Phthalate, and Formaldehyde

2% Milk (3 coats, no topcoat)

2% Milk is a creamy, beige nude. I have actually been accumulating quite a few nude nail colors over the years and, I have really grown to appreciate their beauty. This nail color applied very smoothly, and evenly. I experienced no streaking-which is a treat, seeing as most nude nail colors apply streaky, and unevenly. I got a satisfactory amount of opaqueness with three coats. I love this color so much that, I don't even mind if there is visible nail line with this one. The visible nail line peeking through shows just how delicate and sophisticated this nail color really is. Love!

Club Havana (3 coats, no topcoat)

Club Havana is a semi-bright creamy coral, that contains a hint of orange. Very appropriate spring/summer color. I want to first mention that the nail swatch picture above does not accurately represent the true color of this nail polish. It is definitely a bit more darker than it is showing up in my picture. Although I got opaque coverage with one coat, I couldn't just end it there because, I experienced streaking when I applied the first and second coats. The color also seemed to drag on my nails. But luckily, everything evened out when I layered on coat number 3. Nonetheless, club havana is a lovely color and, I can't wait to sport this fun color on my toes.

*The nail brush is quite interesting. It's much wider than your usual nail brushes. The fact that the brush is wide really helped me cover more nail bed space, and that helped me quickly get the job done. There was no clean-up after because, the polish formula did not drag down to my cuticle area. Which brings me to the formula, which I loved. Its not runny at all, and there is a semi-thick consistency to it. Very easy to work with.

* Both nail colors dried relatively quick and I loved how they both dried down to a shiny finish. I did not apply a topcoat over these because, I wanted to see how well they held up on their own. Well, I am happy to report that the lasting power is just as great. It wasn't until day 5 that I experienced some tip wear, and very minimal chipping. Wet n' Wild is not joking when they say that these nail colors will last 5 days on, before they start to show signs of chipping.

Overall, these nail colors are a win in my book. I am glad I picked them up, and I suggest you all pick up a few of these as well. They don't break the bank at just $1.99 a pop and, I think quality-wise, it does not disappoint.

What do you all think of Wet n' Wild's Megalast Nail colors? Have any of you tried these?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased these products for my personal use.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2012-02-14T16:03:00.000-05:00

image credit: www.myspaceanimations.com

I want to wish all of my readers a very happy Valentine's Day. I hope you all enjoy this day of love with those special ones, who fill your life with joy and love, everyday :)

Valentine's Day LOTD!

2012-02-13T23:11:00.001-05:00

I am sorry I am so late with this post, everyone! But, here is my Valentine's Day inspired look. I decided to go with shades of purple for the eyes, and to compliment the eyes, I added a pink/coral color on the lips. I originally wanted to do a look that incorporated a red lip, but I wanted to try something a bit different. Besides, I wanted to try out my newest MAC lipstick in Watch Me Simmer. It was released recently, as part of MAC's latest collection, Shop MAC, Cook MAC. And so far, I am really loving it! It's bright and so perfect for this occassion.

Face

Maybelline Fit Me foundation in the shade 210

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Concealer in Neutralizer, applied under the eyes

Maybelline Fit Me concealer in Sand, applied under the eyes

MAC Refined Golden bronzer, used to contour cheeks

Illamasqua Powder Blusher in Hussy, applied to the apples of cheeks

MAC Mineralized Skinfinish in Blonde, blended into the cheeks

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft And Gentle, used to highlight face

Wet n' Wild Ultimate Brow Kit in Ash Brown, used to fill in brows

Eyes

E.L.F. Eyelid Primer in Sheer, applied to the lids

NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencil in Milk, applied to the lids and blended out

Eyeshadow colors used were from the Wet n' Wild Color Icon 6 eyeshadow palette in Lust

NYX Eyeshadow in Highlight, applied to the browbone

Stila Smudge Pot in Black, used to line the top lashline and wing out a bit

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero, applied to the waterline

Maybelline Full 'N Soft mascara

Maybelline Illegal Length mascara layered over Full 'N Soft

Lips

MAC Lipstick in Watch Me Simmer (limited edition)

Thanks for stopping by, dolls! I hope you all enjoyed this look :)

What makeup are you all rocking for Valentine's day?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. All of the products mentioned above, were purchased by me, for my personal use.

What's In My Travel Makeup Bag?

2012-02-12T23:43:00.002-05:00

I have seen so many people share what beauty items they carry along with them when they are traveling so, today I am going to share with you all what I carry in my makeup bag, when I am away from home. In case you are wondering, the makeup bag I use frequently is one by Elemis. I love it because it is very sturdy, and not to mention, very spacious. This is great for me because I tend to over-pack so, I need all the room I can get.

Let's get started!

Garnier Nutritioniste Moisture Rescue Lightweight UV Lotion- This is the moisturizer that I use most. I love the fresh scent it has, it moisturizes my dry face nicely, and it has an SPF of 15. I am almost running low on this moisturizer so, I need to purchase a new one soon.

Maybelline Fit Me Foundation- I have said it before, and I will say it again-I LOVE this foundation. It is one of my HG foundations. It goes on smoothly, the medium-buildable coverage that I obtain from using Fit Me is great, and the healthy glow it gives my face is a nice treat.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer in Neutralizer- I have a dark under eye area, as well as discoloring on the lids. The yellow coloring in this product does a lovely job at neutralizing the brown discoloration. This is what I use before I go ahead and apply my concealer.

MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NW30- I like the coverage I can get, just by using a bit of product. I also like the fact that this concealer contains an SPF of 35. I honestly don't see too many concealers that contain SPF in them so, its nice to see that this one does.

Hard Candy Fox In A Box Blush in Truth Or Dare- This boxed blush gives my cheeks that perfect amount of warmth as well as a pretty, soft pink pop of color that is very complimenting.

MAC Bronzer in Refined Golden- I have been using this a lot lately to contour my cheeks. I like the contouring effect I get from this product, and it looks quite natural. This bronzer does contain small, golden shimmers but, they aren't overly apparent once applied. I got this bronzer when it was released as part of the MAC Surf, Baby! collection, over the summer. This bronzer is part of MAC's permanent collection. I just got mines with the Surf, Baby! packaging.

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft And Gentle- I really like the natural looking, lit from within glow I get from this highlighter. I apply soft and gentle on the bridge of my nose, the top of cheekbones, and on the temples of my forehead. A little bit of this product goes a long way.

NYX Eyeshadow in Highlight- Since I frequently apply shimmered eyeshadow colors on my lids, I like my browbone color to be on the matte side. This is a great brow bone highlight color. It blends beautifully, and effortlessly.

Wet n' Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Trio in Sweet As Candy- I tend to carry with me neutral eyeshadow colors. Neutrals are very easy to wear and, I think they look great day or night.

Wet n' Wild Ultimate Brow Kit in Ash Brown- When it comes to filling in my brows, I can always rely on this eyebrow powder kit from Wet n' Wild. I can use either color for my dark, brow hair. I love the brow wax. It helps keep my brow hairs in tact, all day.

Elf Eyelid Primer in Sheer- I love this eyeshadow primer from E.L.F. Not only does it keep my eyeshadows in tact for a long time, but its also crazy inexpensive! This is a bargain gem that everyone should have in their makeup collection.

Maybelline Full 'N Soft Mascara/Maybelline Illegal Length Mascara- Full 'N Soft gives me natural looking volume, while Illegal Length gives me awesome length. Layer on both mascaras, and you have yourself a whole lot of volume and length. Its a win win situation, in which one doesn't have to compromise!

MAC Prep + Prime Transparent Pressed Finishing Powder- This translucent pressed powder sets my foundation beautifully. I apply it all over my face and it does not make my face look caked up. This is always with me when I am on the go.

Make Up For Ever High Definition Powder- I love using this finely milled, smooth loose powder specifically for setting the concealer under my eyes. I really like that this powder does not settle in the fine lines that I have under the eye area, which some powders tend to do.

When it comes to lipsticks, I tend to rely heavily on the more neutral colored ones. But, I always remember to bring along at least one bright color. It may come in handy for unexpected events in which one must make a statement.

*If you are interested, below I have listed the links to reviews of some of the products I mentioned above. So, make sure to check them out if you would like to see more in depth information on the items, as well as swatches.

Elemis Think Pink Beauty Kit

Maybelline Fit Me Foundation

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer

Hard Candy Fox In A Box Blush in Truth Or Dare

MAC Bronzer in Refined Golden

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft And Gentle

NYX Eyeshadow Collection

Wet n' Wild Color Icon Trio in Sweet As Candy

Wet n' Wild Ultimate Brow Kit in Ash Brown

E.L.F. Eyelid Primer

Maybelline Illegal Length Mascara

MAC Lipstick Collection

What are some items that you all carry in your makeup bag, when you are traveling and on the go?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I received the Elemis makeup bag as part of a limited edition skincare kit that I received for review. All of the other items that I mentioned in this post were purchased by me, for my personal use. My reviews are always 100% honest.

Birchbox: February 2012

2012-02-10T21:06:00.002-05:00

Hey dolls! I hope you are all doing well and enjoying this lovely Friday. I just got in a little while ago and I was so happy to see that a lovely pink box was waiting for me at home. Today, I am going to share with you all what was included in my February 2012 Birchbox. And let me just say, that I was REALLY happy to see what was included in this month's box.

Eye Rock Designer Liner- I love eyeliner. I think eyeliner really adds a special pizzazz to a look. I mostly stick with cream, gel, and pencil eyeliners. I just can't seem to get along with liquid eyeliners. Although I love the shiny, and deep color they give off, I find them to be a bit messy to use, and unfortunately, I have not mastered that perfect liquid eyeliner application. In comes Eye Rock. Eye Rock consists of four pairs of adhesive eyeliner design strips, that promise to help us easily achieve that perfect cat eye, that we all long for. This pack consists of four eyeliner styles from the more subtle, to the more dramatic eyeliner. I can't wait to play around with these. I will definitely report back and do a review on these soon. Stay tuned!

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant- I have never tried any skincare products from dermalogica, but I know that many swear by their products. To use this exfoliator, all you have to do is shake out a bit of the powder onto the palm of your hand, add a bit of water, mix with your finger, and a paste will be created. This rich paste sets out to not only help buff away the dead skin cells but, to also soften and brighten the skin as well. This product came just at the right time because, my skin has been really sallow and dull-looking lately so, I hope this exfoliator will help liven up my skin a bit.

Beautyblender Sponge- When I saw this famous pink sponge in the box, I became ecstatic! I have been longing for a beautyblender sponge for quite some time, and to see it included in this month's birchbox was just a beautiful surprise. I can't tell you how many raves I have seen on the beautyblender. I am so happy that I can finally try it out for myself. I love the shape of the sponge because it makes applying foundation to certain areas much easier. You can cover a bigger area with the bigger, rounder part. And, you can also reach those smaller areas like the crevices of the nose or under the eyes with the smaller, pointy tip. Besides for foundation, I have seen others use the beautyblender to apply cream blushes as well. Such a functional product. I have a feeling I am going to love this one.

Swatch

Blended into the skin-see all those sparkles?

Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint in the shade, Pearl- This tinted moisturizer works to give the skin a glowing, dewy look. Also, this tinted moisturizer is oil free, and contains an SPF of 20. I swatched a bit of this tinted moisturizer on the back of my hand and I liked how easily it blended right into my skin. Not only that but, my hand did have a dewy glow to it. The shade match with my skin tone looked to be pretty good as well. I did notice that there is a huge shimmer overload in this product so, I guess we shall see how this looks like on my face. But I have a feeling that the shimmers will be too apparent for daytime. If such is the case, not all is lost. I could probably use this product just on those certain areas on my face where I want a bit of shimmer/highlight. Such as, the bridge of my nose, and the top of my cheekbones. That's the beauty of makeup. If something doesn't work out for a certain purpose, get creative and try to make it work for something else.

front of the nail file

back of the nail file

Included as an extra in this month's Birchbox was a neon pink, heart-shaped nail file. How cute is this? I am such a sucker for products that have a cuteness factor to them. So fun!

*Another extra included in this month's Birchbox is a free six song, digital download by indie rock band, Green River Ordinance.

What do you all think about this month's birchbox contents?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased a monthly Birchbox subscription.

L'oreal Colour Riche Balm: Rose Elixir, Caring Coral

2012-02-06T13:57:00.008-05:00

Hey dolls! I hope you are all doing well and enjoying this lovely Monday. Boy, how about those New York Giants yesterday? It was a great game, and I am really glad they won :) Woohoo! Anyways, today I am going to share my thoughts with you all on the L'oreal Colour Riche Lip Balms ($6.99 each). Although these lip balms have been out for quite some time, they still proved to be hard to find-at least for me. So, I was really excited when I spotted a display of these at Bed Bath And Beyond. I picked up the two colors that stood out to me the most. Caring Coral, a true coral, and Rose Elixir, a muted pink rose.

Caring Coral

Rose Elixir

Packaging

I think the tube packaging is quite lovely. I like the gold tube paired with the plastic, fog-like cap. Very interesting, as well as refreshing. I like that the cap snaps shut, so there is no risk of the cap coming loose in your makeup bag. I can't tell you all how many times I have had caps wiggle loose in my purse. You can all probably imagine how annoying that can be.

Pigmentation

When I saw these two lip balms up close and personal for the first time, I was certain that the pigmentation was going to be impressive, since they look pretty pigmented in the tube. I wasn't really expecting a huge dose of color since it is a lip balm but, I figured that I would at most, get a lovely noticeable tint of color out of these. Well, when I first applied them, I saw that the coverage was a bit sheerer than I expected them to be. Actually, a lot sheerer. Instead of color, all I get is a clear, sheer wash of color on my lips. To be honest, I can't tell Caring Coral and Rose Elixir apart when I apply them. They both look exactly the same on my lips.

Performance

Both lip balms have a sweet fragrance to them that I personally enjoy. I also detect a hint of sunscreen included in the fragrance, as well. Both lip balms apply smoothly, and they feel super creamy going on. According to the L'oreal website's description of these lip balms, these lip balms work to continuously hydrate the lips for 8 hours. Not only that but, this lip balm will continue to condition lips, even after the balm wears off or is removed, for another 2 1/2 hours.

I do find these lip balms to be very moisturizing, indeed. My lips have been really dry lately, and these lip balms do a wonderful job at giving them moisture and suppleness that prolongs, even after the balm has worn off. They also give my lips a healthy looking dose of much needed shine. As for wear time, its not until 2-3 hours that I have to reapply again. But I honestly think that reapplying right away is optional with these, since my lips feel super soft and hydrated already, even if the lip balm wears off of my lips.

The one thing that absolutely turns me off about these lip balms is the unpleasant taste that forms in my mouth when I apply these. Once I apply these balms onto my lips, the taste of sunscreen is inevitable. And, its very strong. I do like the fact that these contain an SPF of 15 but, I just wish the taste wasn't so strong.

Final Thoughts

Even though I was not super impressed with the pigmentation and that horrid sunscreen taste, I actually would repurchase more of the L'oreal Colour Riche Balms. Their moisturizing properties are probably one of the best I have seen so far, when it comes to lip balms. And the fact that the moisturization lasts even when these balms have worn off, is a major plus. Ever since I got them, they have since replaced my HG lip balm-Smith's Rosebud Salve. Don't get me wrong, I still love Rosebud Salve but for now, I think I am having a love affair with these L'oreal Colour Riche balms. If you don't mind a super sheer lip balm, and are looking for a really good moisturizing one, I wouldn't think twice about picking one-or a few, of these up.

What do you all think of the L'oreal Colour Riche Balms? Do you find them really moisturizing, like I do?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased these products for my personal use.

Milani Rose Hip Lipstick

2012-02-04T21:39:00.006-05:00

Hey dolls! I hope you are all enjoying your Saturday evening. A few weeks ago, CVS was having a 75% off sale on select Milani products. When I stopped by my local CVS store to check it out, sure enough, the selection that remained, consisted of items that I wouldn't normally pick up for myself. That always happens to me. I think its because I always wait until the last minute to go check out the sales. By the time I finally get to the store, the display is destroyed and almost all of the sale items are gone. But, I digress.

I was almost certain that I was going to go home empty handed but I decided to check out the lipsticks and see what I could find. I had never tried Milani lipsticks so, I was hoping I would find a shade that I could try out. Well, what do you know? I found one Milani lipstick shade that was right up my alley, and her name is Rose Hip. This lipstick originally retailed for $6.39 at my local CVS. Take off 75% of that and my total came up to $2.79! What a steal! By the way, I am not sure if the 75% off sale is still going on. But, I would suggest stopping by your local CVS and checking out the Milani display, to see if the 75% off stickers are still on the selected products.

Lip Swatch Of Milani Rose Hip Lipstick

Rose Hip is a creamy, muted bright pink. It is bright, but not quite neon-bright. Either way, this lip color sure makes a gorgeous statement when applied to the lips. Rose Hip felt super creamy going on. Not to mention smooth. I got opaque coverage in no time and the formula felt really comfortable on my lips. The finish is creamy (obviously, I am obsessed with continuously using the word creamy when it comes to this post) and, it leaves an impeccable shine that makes layering a gloss on top, optional.

I haven't worn this lip color out yet so, I can't comment on the lasting power. But, since creamier formulas tend to wear off quicker for me, I am going to rough guess and say that this lip color would probably last somewhere between 4-6 hours on me. This lipstick does contain a fragrance. I can't quite describe it but I know that I am not very fond of it. Luckily, the smell quickly dissipates once the lipstick is applied to the lips.

I have a few pink lipsticks in my makeup stash and I was curious to see if Rose Hip could actually be a dupe for any of my pink MAC lipsticks. Don't get me wrong, I adore my MAC lipsticks but, I am all for finding more affordable options.

Left to right: Milani Rosehip, MAC Candy Yum-Yum, MAC Girl About Town

While thinking about a possible MAC lip color that was similar to Rose Hip, I immediately thought of MAC's Candy Yum-Yum lipstick. It was a limited edition lipstick that was highly coveted by all bright pink lipstick lovers. I am still mad at myself for not picking up any back-ups. Meanwhile, I am trying to sparingly use the one tube of Candy Yum-Yum that I do have. One can only hope that MAC releases it again. Anyways, Candy Yum-Yum is a super bright, neon pink and since Rose Hip was also on the bright side, I figured they would be similar. But that was not the case when I swatched both lip colors side by side. Obviously, Candy Yum-Yum is much more cool toned and brighter than Rose Hip. So, I dug back into my lipstick stash and pulled out Girl About Town lipstick. Both Rose Hip and Girl About Town are a tiny bit similar, but not enough, that I would classify them as exact dupes of each other. Rose Hip is cooler and brighter than Girl About Town. Girl About Town is much more deeper and warmer.

Overall, I love pink lipsticks so it is no surprise that I really adore Milani's Rose Hip lipstick. I can't wait to rock this lip color with a neutral eye and a heavy winged out liner. Super pretty! If you live for bright pink lipsticks that are creamy, and make a bold statement, Rose Hip is definitely a lip color that is worth a look.

What do you all think of Rose Hip lipstick by Milani? Did any of you pick up this lip color?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased all of the products mentioned above for my personal use.

Color Club: Beyond The Mistletoe

2012-02-04T10:37:00.000-05:00

Beyond The Mistletoe ($3.99) is a clear based polish that contains silver glitters, as well as multi-colored holographic glitters. Beyond The Mistletoe was released as part of Color Club's holiday 2011 collection titled, beyond the mistletoe. I found a display of this collection-which consisted of all glitters, at my local Bed Bath And Beyond store. While all of the glittered colors were lovely, beyond the mistletoe was the only one that really stood out to me.

Color Club-Beyond The Mistletoe, 3 coats. Natural daylight, no flash. *Day 2 of wear*

natural light, no flash

*The pictures do not do this beauty any justice. While in focus mode, my camera did not want to pick up any of the gorgeous holographic effects so, I added a blurred out picture above so you can see some of the holographic goodness. In any case, trust me when I say that the effect is much cooler in person.

I loved how easy it was to get a good coating of the glitter. You know, with some glitters-especially the bigger and chunkier ones, one has to continue applying a few more coats, in order to get a nice saturation of glitter on the nails. But luckily, with beyond the mistletoe, I got a nice glitter coating with just one coat. Of course, if you want more glitter coverage, you can most definitely add a second and third coat, which is what I like to do.

Beyond the mistletoe looks lovely layered over a solid base nail color but, I actually prefer wearing this one on its own. The glitters pack a lot of punch and personality to shine on their own.

As with most color club nail colors that I have encountered, drying time was quick and, application was easy as can be. One thing that I noticed was the chipping and tip wear that was already happening on just day 2 of wear (if you look at the nail swatch picture above, you can notice the chipping on my index and middle finger). But, I think this was so because I did not seal the polish with a top coat-I wanted to test its wear time alone. Since I experienced early chipping, I would definitely suggest a long lasting top coat for this one.

Beyond the mistletoe is such a pretty and festive glitter and, I am glad to have it on board as part of my nail polish collection. But to be honest with you all, I think I have had enough of glitter nail colors for awhile. I am all glittered-out! LOL! Now, I am ready for the brights, muted nudes, and pastel nail colors, that I am going to be sporting all spring/summer.

What do you all think of Beyond The Mistletoe? Are any of you glittered-out like I am?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased this product for my personal use.

Products I Have Been Loving Lately: Vol 4

2012-02-03T19:30:00.004-05:00

Today, I am going to share with you all a few of my favorite products, that have been in constant rotation for awhile. Also included in this favorites post are a few items that I have rediscovered again. Don't you just love falling in love with products all over again?

Illamasqua Bronzing Duo in Glint And Burnish- This is such a lovely product. I don't know why I haven't used it lately. This has been giving me that natural looking, warm glow that I long for during these winter months. My skin is extra pale right now so, until summer comes along and warms me up a bit, glint and burnish does a lovely job when it comes to taking on the task of warming up my complexion in the meantime. If you are interested, check out my review of glint and burnish, HERE.

Maybelline Illegal Length Mascara- This mascara was featured in my previous 'products I have been loving lately' post from last month but, I am bringing it back because you know what? It is just that good. I can't get over this mascara's lengthening abilities. If you are looking for length, this mascara will not disappoint. If you haven't done so, make sure to check out my review on this mascara, HERE.

NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencil in Milk- I have been applying this jumbo eye pencil beneath my eyeshadows, and it does a lovely job at brightening up the colors, and making them pop. Super pretty! I want to also mention that I apply this eye pencil over my Urban Decay Primer Potion. My lids are super oily, and just this eye pencil alone will not do it for me. But, with an eyeshadow primer underneath, it holds on pretty well.

L'oreal Color Riche Lip Balms in Rose Elixir and Caring Coral- I am not going to go into too much details when it comes to these two lip balms because a review is coming up but, what I can say is that these have been doing a superb job at moisturizing my dry lips. I carry these everywhere with me in my purse, and whenever my lips need a boost of hydration, these definitely do the job.

P.S. I have 354 followers!!!! Thank you all so much for taking an interest in my blog, and sharing this beauty journey with me. I promise, a contest is in the works :)

What have been some of your favorite products, lately?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased all of the products mentioned above for my personal use.

Love & Beauty Cheek Color

2012-02-01T21:29:00.000-05:00

Hey Dolls! I hope you are all doing well. I am so sorry for the lack of posts, but the internet at my place is down. I am actually blogging on the hub's computer. The technician is scheduled to come over this Friday to fix the problem so, hopefully everything will be back in order soon. I have so much to share with you all!

Today, I am bringing you a review on another one of Forever 21's Love & Beauty makeup items. This time, its the Love & Beauty cheek color in pink/multi ($4.80). I really hope that I am not boring you all with these Love & Beauty reviews. But if I am, please hold on a tiny bit longer. I only have one more product I want to share with you all, after this one that I will be reviewing today :)

If you haven't yet done so, make sure to check out my other Love & Beauty cosmetics reviews:

Love & Beauty Bronze/Turquoise Eyeshadow Palette

Love & Beauty Coconut & Peach Lip Balms

First Two: Top Row Colors.

Last Two: Bottom Row Colors

I am not going to deny that once again, I was suckered into buying this product because of the packaging. The sleek, square shaped black compact with the cheetah print-plus the heart imprint in the middle of the powder itself, all make for a very tempting combination. One that is hard for me to resist, obviously. Also included in the compact is a nicely-sized square shaped mirror. Great for carrying on the go. Although I do like the appearance of the packaging, I don't find it to be sturdy at all. And, I am sure if I accidentally dropped it, the powder would no doubt, shatter to bits.

The compact houses two bronze-like shades, as well as two blush colors. Starting with the first row, you get a warm, muted peach blush shade as well as a light golden brown bronzer. Then in the second row, you will find a deeper golden brown bronzer, and a cool, light pink blush color. Three of the shades contain smaller, fine shimmers, while the cool pink is more of a matte. I think that this combination of colors is brilliant. You basically have your blush color and bronzer all in one. The texture of the powder is superb. Its super smooth and it blends easily onto my cheeks. By the way, I love how the heart imprint in the center just adds that instant cute-factor. So fun!

I was quite surprised at how nicely pigmented these colors were. I was almost certain that I was not going to get much color payoff on my cheeks. Maybe just a highlighting effect, at most. But the color payoff was really great. I love the luminous glow that results from using this powder, but I have noticed that if I overdo it, it can enhance and enlarge the pores on my cheeks. I am pretty sure that this is so because of the shimmers that are in the product. Hence, a little bit of product goes a long way. I have no complaints when it comes to lasting power. I found that this product stayed in tact all day. Oh, before I forget to mention, this product is cruelty free and was not tested on animals. Yay!

Overall, I am glad that I crossed paths with this cheek color. I think that the quality of the product itself is pretty nice, and the affordable price tag does not hurt either. If any of you spot this cheek color compact, I think this is a product that is definitely worth a look.

Have any of you tried this cheek color from Love & Beauty?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased this product for my personal use.

MAC Mineralize Skinfinishes in Blonde and Redhead

2012-01-26T03:09:00.005-05:00

(Blonde, Redhead)

When I found out that MAC had released the Blonde and Redhead mineralize skinfinishes ($28.00 each), as part of their latest collection-Naturally, I jumped for joy. I knew immediately that these two gems were going in my shopping cart, when I purchased them from the MAC website. I missed out on these mineralize skinfinishes when they were originally released as part of the Brunette, Blonde, Redhead collection (from 2009?). So, I was not going to make that same mistake again. Read on to find out why these two products are rocking my world!

Left To Right: Redhead, Blonde (sorry about the glares)

Mineralize Skinfinish in Blonde

First 4 swatches-color sections. Last swatch-all the colors blended together (blonde)

Mineralize Skinfinish in Redhead

First 4 swatches-color sections. Last swatch-all the colors blended together (redhead)

If you love soft, pink cheeks, then blonde is the way to go. A peach-coral lover? No problem. Redhead has got you covered. Both of these limited edition mineralize skinfinishes contain four sections of colors, that compliment each other beautifully. Starting from the left of the compact, the color strips gradually transition from lightest to deepest. You can apply the lightest of the bunch, and use that to create a soft highlight. Or, swirl your blush brush on all four colors, and you have yourself a pretty blush color, that will instantly liven your cheeks, and give them a healthy looking glow. With these two, you basically have a highlighter/blush in one! Gotta love multi-tasking products.

Both products contain fine, smooth shimmers. Personally, I don't find the shimmers as overbearing as they are, when it comes to other highlighters. Of course, as with all shimmered face products, its best to not overdo it and know your limits. I have gotten heavy handed before and applied more than I needed to. When that occurred, I noticed that my pores were slightly enlarged. So, just remember that a little bit of this product goes a long way. Not so much for the fear of overdoing the amount of color, but overdoing the shimmers. I think the pigment on these is fantastic. The colors aren't super bright, but they have enough pigment to keep one satisfied. The texture of both skinfinishes are so smooth. The smooth texture really helps both products blend effortlessly into my cheeks. Last, I find that these stay on my cheeks all day. They do not budge whatsoever, off of my oily skin. So, I am definitely happy with the lasting power.

I adore both of these mineralize skinfinishes, but I am having a love affair with blonde as of late. The soft pink, flattering glow that my cheeks get is just amazing. I can't rave about it enough. And come to think of it, I actually thought that Redhead was going to be my most favorite, seeing as it has the golden, peachy-coral color schemes that I usually go for. In any case, both the redhead and blonde mineralize skinfinishes are so beautiful in their own special way, and I know that I am going to be getting a lot of use from these.

Currently, I see that these two limited edition mineralize skinfinishes are still available on the MAC website. So jump on the mineralize skinfinish ship ASAP, and get one-or both of these beauties! Believe me when I say, you NEED these in your life. Get to it!

What do you think of the Blonde and Redhead Mineralize Skinfinishes? Did any of you pick these up?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased these products for my personal use.

Love & Beauty Coconut & Peach Lip Balms

2012-01-24T06:20:00.002-05:00

When I spot packaging that is shaped like an ice cream sundae, I don't have to think twice about taking it home with me. Such was the case with this Love & Beauty coconut and peach lip balm set ($1.50), that I recently spotted, over at Forever 21.

Peach Lip Balm

Peach: I am one who is not very picky about fragrances in lip products. But, this one was just too artificial-even for me. The peach scent in this lip balm is definitely not something I am a fan of. On the more positive note, this lip balm did go on the smoothest out of the two.

Coconut Lip Balm

Coconut: I am a huge lover of all things coconut scented. Anything that reminds me of the beach, sunsets, and warm summer weather, has a friend in me. This coconut scented lip balm is my favorite out of the two, when it comes fragrance. Unfortunately, when it came to application, I found the texture quite uncomfortable. It did not apply as smoothly as I would have liked. It went on gritty and felt a bit rough.

Both of these lip balms don't have any pigment, so they apply sheer. Honestly, I don't find that there is really anything special about these lip balms, other than the cute packaging and the fun scent. My lips are super dry and while these lip balms didn't exactly worsen them, they did not help moisturize them, either. Also, these lip balms felt heavy on my lips. I could definitely feel like something was coating my lips-sort of wax-like, actually. Not a very comfortable feeling. As far as lasting power goes, I find that I have to reapply every 1-2 hours.

I would have really liked to have seen more moisturizing-inducing ingredients such as, Shea butter and vitamin E. Lastly, an SPF of some sort would have been a really nice addition.

Overall, if you don't have extremely dry lips and are looking for a basic, fun-scented, inexpensive lip balm, then these may be ones you want to look into. But, if moisturizing is your goal, look elsewhere. There are many other lip balms on the market that do wonders when it comes to moisturizing the lips. I would not repurchase these lip balms again. One of my favorite lip balms is Smith's Rosebud Salve. It never disappoints me, and I can't imagine my life without it.

Have any of you tried the Love & Beauty lip balms? Which are your favorite lip balms?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased the products mentioned above, for my personal use.

Beauty Crave

2012-01-22T03:58:00.000-05:00

Hey Dolls,

I hope you are all enjoying your day! Welcome to another edition of beauty crave. You all know how it goes, so let's get started :)

1. Bobbi Brown Ultra Nude Eye Palette ($45.00)- I don't think I will ever get enough of nude eyeshadows. They are such a necessary essential for me, and they are the color schemes that I wear quite often. This nude eye palette by Bobbi Brown contains six gorgeous universally flattering, nude eyeshadows that are sure to strike every nude eyeshadow lover's fancy. Also included in the eye palette is a handy, double-ended angled eyeshadow and eyeliner brush. Perfect for when one is on the go.

2. Tarte Maracuja Blush & Glow ($32.00)- Tarte's Maracuja Blush & Glow is a duo that is comprised of a cheek tint and a luminizer. Blend the tint on the cheeks for a lovely natural flush of color, and then follow with the luminizer to highlight the tops of cheekbones, for that extra special touch. According to Tarte, maracuja is an oil that contains Vitamin C, as well as fatty acids-great skin essentials. Also, this products does not contain parabens, sulfates, or any other harsh chemicals, that our skin can do without. Love!

3. Dior Diorskin Sculpt Concealer ($35.00)- For me, finding the perfect concealer has been the norm, for quite awhile. I just can't give up! I am obsessed, I tell 'ya. This concealer works to help diminish lines, and give the eye area a smooth appearance. I have a few fine lines under my eyes, and this product sounds really great to help combat that problem. I just wonder if it will help conceal my under-eye dark circles, well enough?

4. Smashbox Be Discovered Cream Cheek Trio ($29.00)- One of my new year resolutions is to start familiarizing myself more with cream blushes. Unfortunately, I don't have that many in my makeup stash. I steer clear of cream blushes because, when it comes to application, I feel like I am not doing it properly-especially when it comes to loud colors. I am afraid I will look like a clown. It is time to get rid of my cream blush fear, and this cream blush trio by Smashbox seems like a good place to start. The colors are incredibly gorgeous, and look very wearable.

5. American Apparel Glitter Nail Polish ($6.00)- I think it is safe to say that my glitter nail polish obsession is far from being over. I am sure come summertime, I will step away from the glitter and go towards the brights, neons, and pastels. Unless, there is a neon or pastel glitter nail color, available! Now, that would be cool. I really love the chunks of fun glitter that these nail colors have (pictured above is Supernova). By the way, for those who are into the latest, nail flake-craze, there is a pretty silver flake nail color available called Constellation, that I am sure will look lovely layered over dark nail colors. Also, these glitter nail colors are cruelty free, DBP free, toluene free, and formaldehyde free. Score!

6. Urban Decay Super-Saturated High Gloss Lip Color ($19.00)- I really love lip products. Apart from lipsticks, lip balms, and glosses, I am not too familiar with lip pencils. But, I know that lip pencils perform just as good-sometimes, even better. These lip pencils from Urban Decay, promise to give lips a high dose of opaque color, that feels creamy on the lips. I like! I am looking into purchasing 'Love Child', which is a gorgeous soft pink. Next to nude lip colors, I can't live without my pinks.

Thanks for stopping by, dolls! Be back soon :)

What beauty products are on your beauty wishlist?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above.

Product Rave: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Cotton Candy

2012-01-21T14:39:00.000-05:00

I have been searching high and low for the much buzzed about, Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters ($5.99). But not surprisingly, they have proved hard to find. Well, I just happened to spot a display of these lip butters at Rite Aid and although I was excited that I finally spotted these, I was bummed that the color selections that remained were shades that I would not normally buy for myself. Luckily, I spotted one Revlon lip balm that was right up my alley, and her name is Cotton Candy.

Quick Product Facts

1. The lip butters are infused with shea butter, coconut butter, and hydrating mango

2. Provides a light-medium pigmentation that give lips a beautiful shine

3. These lip butters are available in 20 shades!

(source)

Packaging

I really like the quilted design/texture on the pink plastic top. I think the packaging looks quite sleek, actually. It also feels pretty sturdy, too. Also, I appreciate that the nozzle twists the lip butter all the way down. I just love features such as this one because that way, nicks and scrapes on the product can be easily avoided. I can't tell you all how many times I have nicked a lipstick because the nozzle wouldn't twist all the way down, no matter how cautious I was when placing the top back on.

Thoughts/Experience

Cotton Candy is a gorgeous, soft pink that contains small, smooth golden shimmers. Both the soft pink and the gold shimmers compliment each other quite well, and I really like the shine that this lip butter imparts on my lips. The shimmers are not overbearing at all. Cotton Candy is nicely pigmented, but not overly so. You can definitely build on it, though. I do detect a sweet fragrance which I quite enjoy. But no worries for those who are not fond of scented lip products, the sweet scent lessens rather quickly, once applied to the lips.

This lip butter glided on my lips smoothly, and evenly. I noticed how I could keep layering, and layering the product, and my lips would never dry out or get flaky because of product build-up. My lips are often very dry, and believe it or not, I have encountered lip products that instead of adding moisture to the lips, dry them out instead. Cotton Candy felt super lightweight on my lips, never uncomfortable.

I wish Cotton Candy lasted a little longer on me, though. I found that three hours or so, is the max time that this lip butter lasts on my lips. After the 3 hours, I have to touch up and apply this lip butter again. I found that my lips, did in fact, feel moisturized throughout the day. One thing that I would have really liked to have seen contained in this lip butter, is an SPF of some sort. I think that would have been a really nice addition.

Conclusion

I love Cotton Candy, and I hope to spot more of these Revlon Lip Butter shades at drugstores. I think if you are on the lookout for an inexpensive, easy glide-on moisturizing lip butter that packs a nice amount of color, these lip butters may be something worth looking into.

What do you all think of the Revlon Lip Butters? Which are your favorite shades?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased this product for my personal use.

Love & Beauty Nail Polish in Hot Pink

2012-01-18T09:57:00.001-05:00

Personally, I find Forever 21's Love & Beauty nail polishes to be either a hit or miss. I have a few Love & Beauty nail colors in my stash, and I have to say, some colors are spectacular, while others leave me underwhelmed. Luckily, this nail color falls into the spectacular category.

Three coats of Hot Pink, shiny top coat applied on top as well

Hot Pink (original name, huh?), is a bright pink that packs a whole lot of punch. The color is real bright-but not eye blinding neon bright, that contains fine, gold shimmers. I just love the gold sheen that the tiny, gold shimmers impart on my nails. The gold compliments the bright pink, beautifully. The pictures above do not do this nail color any justice. This mani looks so much cooler in person. To really up the fun factor, I added 2 coats of Wet n' Wild's Wild Shine Nail Color in Sparked to my ring fingers.

Application was a breeze. The brush, as well as the easy-grip handle, makes applying the nail color very simple. The first coat went on a bit sheer. I applied a second, and then a third coat to really get opaque and even coverage. I experienced no streaking, or air bubbles during application, and this nail color dried to a semi-glossy finish.

Drying time wasn't too bad. It took about 10-15 minutes for the nail color to be completely dry. I just applied this color last night so, I can't really report on the wear-time. But usually I have luck with the Love & Beauty nail colors when it comes to lasting power. It is not until 3-5 days of wear that I start to see some tip wear and chipping.

I know there are so many bright pink nail colors out there, in the market, and I am sure that you all probably have one in your nail polish stash. But, I think this color is sort of unique-in its own, fun way. I don't think I have a pink like this one in my collection. Plus, the price tag of $2.80 doesn't hurt either. Hot Pink definitely deserves a look if you spot it at a Forever 21 store.

What do you all think of Hot Pink? Which are your favorite Love & Beauty nail colors?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased this product for my personal use.

Love & Beauty Bronze/Turquoise Eyeshadow Palette

2012-01-17T09:07:00.003-05:00

Every time I stop by Forever 21, I tend to overlook the beauty and cosmetics items. I am more into the nail polishes and the clothing. But on my last trip to the store, I decided that it was finally time to take a closer look at the beauty items. Ultimately, I picked up some stuff to test out, so stay tuned for a few more posts in where I will share with you all some more Forever 21 beauty finds. I really hope that this post-along with the others coming up, helps those of you who are not familiar with Forever 21's Love & Beauty line, and are contemplating on weather or not these beauty products are something you want to try.

I really love how the beauty items are so inexpensive. But what I really wanted to find out was, weather or not the quality was there. Today, I am going to share with you all my thoughts on the Love & Beauty bronze/turquoise eyeshadow palette ($2.80).

natural daylight, no flash

Packaging

The black, flip-open compact houses four eyeshadow strips, as well as two double-ended sponge tip applicators. I really like the look of the packaging but, I definitely would not want to drop it. I don't find the case sturdy at all. I am really clumsy, so I will have to make sure to be really careful.

I noticed something quite surprising actually, when it came to the packaging. We all know that makeup has expiration dates and there is usually some sort of indicator which shows the time span of the product. For example, some items would read 3M, 6M, 12M, 24M, etc. The M indicating months. Well, I was surprised to not only see a time span indicator on the back of the compact, but also the EXACT DATE of when the product expires. Not only that, but it also shows when the product was manufactured. How cool is that? If you take a look at the back of the compact in the picture above, you will see that the expiration date is 10/14-October 2014. This is a quality that I really appreciate. And I think all cosmetic companies should do this with their products. It is so informative and very helpful. There is one thing I don't understand, though. The year 2014 is two years away, and the time span illustration reads 12M. Maybe it means that unopened, this product lasts until 2014. But then once opened, the time span of the product is a year?

Thoughts

When I first spotted these eyeshadows, I immediately fell in love with the colors. I think they compliment eachother so well, and I love how the colors remind me of summer. During the summer months, I LOVE to sport gold and bronze eyeshadows. And I think a lovely turquoise shadow would compliment a tan quite well. When it comes to the eyeshadows, you get a turquoise that I would say leans more on the green side, a bronze, a gold, and a creamy beige. All of the eyeshadows are heavily shimmered. So, if shimmer eyeshadows are not your cup of tea, these are not for you. I personally love shimmers in my eyeshadow colors. I think the shimmers help brighten up my eye area and makes the shadow colors that much more fun. The eyeshadows are pressed closely together. Some may have an issue with this, but its not a deal-breaker for me. I find that I can comfortably fit my eyeshadow brush in each of the colors with no problem. Also, I am happy to report that this product is cruelty-free and not tested on animals!

Pigmentation is pretty impressive. The shadows are nicely pigmented and pack a nice punch of color. With the turquoise color, I found that I had to really pack on the color, in order to get it to show up to its full potential. When it comes to the texture of the eyeshadows, I find that they are very soft. There is already a small crack on the corner of the lighter cream shade, and I have done nothing to cause the crack. Believe me when I say that I have been very gentle with this eyeshadow compact. Who knows? Perhaps the crack was already there before I purchased it, and I didn't notice?

I did an eye look using all of the eyeshadows in this palette, and I really liked the turn out. I applied the gold shade to the middle of my lid, then I took the bronze shadow and applied that to the outer V, blending into the crease. To brighten up the eye look I took the creamy beige and applied it to the inner corners. Lastly, to finish the look, I applied the pretty turquoise shadow to the lower lash line, to add an unexpected pop of color. The shadows were super easy to blend. But, I did experience some fallout, though. Of course, I applied an eyeshadow primer beforehand. My oily lids require it because if not, the shadows will crease on me within 5 minutes! The longest I have sported these eyeshadows was for about, 5-6 hours. I was pleasantly surprised that I did not notice any fading or major creasing, during that time. This leads me to believe that these eyeshadows have the potential to last beyond the 5-6 hours I had it on for.

Conclusion

I admit, I wasn't expecting much from these eyeshadows. I was ready to be disappointed. But I was proved wrong. The colors are lovely, the pigmentation was nice, and I could definitely see myself using this eyeshadow compact frequently. How could I not? The colors are gorgeous and right up my alley. I have a feeling these shadows are going to be in heavy rotation come summertime. I was left very impressed, and I am going to be on the lookout for more shades.

What do you all think of the Love & Beauty eyeshadows? Have any of you tried any?

Thanks for stopping by, dolls! I hope you all have a great day :) Be back soon!

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased this product for my personal use.

Products I Have Been Loving Lately: Vol 3

2012-01-16T06:22:00.000-05:00

Today I am going to share with you all the products that have stolen my heart, lately. Lets get started!

1. Maybelline Illegal Length Mascara- I just recently reviewed this mascara (click here), and it is quickly becoming a must-have staple item. I have been using it daily, and I just love how it easily lengthens and separates my lashes.

2. Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow Palette- This eyeshadow palette (click here for review and swatches) is a must for those who love neutral eye looks. If I am ever in a rush, and indecisive when it comes to my eyeshadow look for the day, the naked palette saves the day. I love how I can easily create a soft, neutral eye or a more dramatic, smokier one for night. I am still debating on weather or not I should get the Naked Palette 2.

3. Hard Candy Fox In A Box Blush in Truth Or Dare- I just reviewed this blush yesterday, along with another hard candy blush duo (click here to check it out). My love affair with truth or dare is not ending anytime soon. This duo, comprised of a pretty golden brown and a soft, sheer pink, add the perfect glow to my cheeks that I love. This is one gem that I was happy to find.

4. Revlon Lip Butter in Cotton Candy- I am in the process of writing a review on this lip butter from Revlon. Cotton candy is a pretty soft pink that gives a gorgeous sheen to the lips. So far, I love the smooth texture of this lip butter. It glides on effortlessly onto the lips. Be on the lookout for the upcoming review!

5. Maybelline Fit Me Foundation- If any of you are longtime readers of my blog, I am pretty sure that you are all getting tired of my constant rave about this foundation. Maybelline's Fit Me foundation (click here for review) is definitely one of my HG foundations. I am on my second bottle of this stuff and I am almost done with it, LOL! I use this foundation almost daily. The colder weather has taken a toll on my skin, causing it to become drier than usual, and I just love the much needed dewiness that this foundation gives my face.

I hope you are all doing well, dolls! Be back soon :)

What products have you all been loving lately? Do any of you have similar favorites?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased all of the products mentioned in this post for my personal use.

Hard Candy Fox In A Box Blushes: Truth Or Dare, Skinny Dipping

2012-01-15T08:54:00.002-05:00

I finally was able to get my hands on these Hard Candy treasures! I say treasures because these boxed blushes are fantastic! I am in love. I am just in awe because of how amazing the Hard Candy Fox in a Box blushes ($6.00 each) are. Each of these boxed blushes contain two coordinating shades that compliment each other beautifully. Just take a look for yourselves!

Left To Right: Truth Or Dare, Skinny Dipping (with flash)

I absolutely love the cardboard-box packaging with the easy to open flip top, magnetic lid. I love the bright colors, the fun polka-dotted prints, the images of the flower, lace, and bird, and even the letter fonts are pretty cool-you know, if you are into that stuff :) Yes, they are a little bulky, but come on...you can't deny that the boxes are super adorable. Surprisingly, I find the packaging to be pretty sturdy.

I think the appearance of the blush brushes are really fun. The hairs are pink and the white handle contains the Hard Candy imprint logo on it. I found the brush hairs to feel OK on my cheeks. They don't feel scratchy, but they aren't the softest hairs either. I like to use my own blush brush to apply this product, though. I like that instead of adding a separate compartment to house the brush, Hard Candy decided to insert a black, elastic band under the top lid, that would hold the brush in place. I think this is a great feature because it prevents the packaging from being any more bulkier than it already is.

Truth Or Dare

Truth or Dare is probably my most favorite out of the two boxed blushes. I have been using this boxed blush non-stop since I first got it. The color on the left is a soft, warm golden brown that contains small shimmers. And the color on the right is a pretty sheer pink, that also contains small shimmers. I don't find the shimmers to be very apparent, once the colors are on my cheeks. This duo is the most sheerest out of the bunch, but that is probably why I love it so much. When swatched, the colors appear sheer. But as soon as I apply these two colors on my cheeks, they give my cheeks the most prettiest, healthy looking, glow-with a hint of soft pink to complete the look. With this duo, you will never look overdone. That's the beauty of truth or dare.

Skinny Dipping

Skinny Dipping is a great pick for those who enjoy coral blush colors. The color on the left is a cool, tan-brown that contains a hint of pink. And the lovely color on the right, is a bright orange coral. Both colors contain shimmers, and the colors are nicely pigmented. Like Truth Or Dare, the shimmers are not overbearing or apparent, once they have been applied to the cheeks. To be honest, I have not been using this boxed blush much, since I am so enamored with truth or dare. I think its because I prefer applying pink blushes in the colder months. And since it is winter here, truth or dare is just perfect for me. But come summertime, I am sure that I will be putting skinny dipping to good use, since coral blushes, and bronzers are all I sport on my cheeks during that time. But, skinny dipping is gorgeous nonetheless, and I am happy that I picked it up.

First Two: Truth Or Dare Swatches. Last Two: Skinny Dipping Swatches

Both these boxed blushes are smooth in texture, and they blend effortlessly onto my cheeks. I also find that these blushes last all day on my cheeks, which is great. I can't wait to pick up some more of these boxed blushes from Hard Candy, on my next trip to Wal-Mart. If you happen to spot these boxed blushes, I recommend you pick up a few. I am sure you will love them as much as I do.

What do you all think of these boxed blushes from Hard Candy?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased these products for my personal use.

Product Rave: Vaseline Total Moisture Conditioning Body Lotion

2012-01-12T18:47:00.001-05:00

As soon as winter arrives, my skin is just unbearable. My skin is dry, and it has been quite itchy, lately. My legs especially have been feeling the itching wrath, and you can all imagine how uncomfortable that is. Good thing, I have the Vaseline Total Moisture Conditioning Body Lotion (around $4-$6) by my side. This is actually my first time trying out a body lotion by Vaseline and I couldn't be more pleased with the results.

I love that this body lotion contains Vitamins E, A, and B, which are great skin moisturizers and soothers. Also, this lotion also contains minerals which help give skin the nutrients that it needs. The combination of vitamins and minerals work together to replenish the skin with moisture and hydration. And I think it sure does a fab job at that.

When I smooth this lotion on my skin, my skin just feels so much more smoother and supple. The lotion is very creamy. It does not have a thick consistency, nor a thin one. My skin absorbs this lotion quickly, and a little bit of this product truly goes a long way. I do detect a fresh fragrance to this lotion, but its not the least offensive. Once the lotion is applied to the skin, I find that the scent dissipates within 5 minutes or so. After that, I just get a tiny hint of the scent, which I find quite nice actually.

If you are looking for an effective body lotion that will moisturize your skin in a snap, then this may be a product that you would want to look into. I think its definitely worth a try, seeing as its super affordable. My only concern with this body lotion is that it may not be enough for those who have super dry skin. I think for that, a thicker formula may be needed. Just something to keep in mind.

What do you all think of this body lotion by Vaseline? What are your favorite body lotions to use in the winter time?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased this product for my personal use.

Product Review: Maybelline Illegal Length Mascara

2012-01-12T03:54:00.002-05:00

While on my most recent trip to Bed Bath And Beyond, I spotted Maybelline's newest mascara-Illegal Length ($6.99). What intrigued me most about this mascara was the fact that it contained tiny fibers that help lengthen and extend the lashes. Personally, I am not too familiar with the performance of mascaras that contain fibers. But I do know that the fibers work by attaching to the lashes, to give them instant length. Think of the fibers as small extensions for your lashes.

Maybelline Illegal Length Mascara in Very Black

Ingredients

Here are some quick product facts:

1. This mascara is washable-there is a waterproof version available as well

2. Ophthalmologist tested

3. This mascara is safe for those who wear contact lenses

4. "Fiber-Fix Brush" works with a locking formula, to dramatically lengthen and extend the lashes with the 4mm fibers

5. The mascara brush reaches every single lash, at every angle

6. The fibers will not flake off because they are securely attached to the lashes

7. For better results, it is best to not let the mascara dry in between coat applications

First, I really like the look of the lightweight plastic, mascara tube. I am loving the silver with the contrasting fuchsia text. Very chic, if I do say so myself. When I first took the mascara wand out of the tube, I noticed that the wand was a bit long. I prefer shorter mascara wands-just because they are much easier for me to control. Luckily, I found it was pretty easy to work with the wand. Application was not troublesome at all.

The bristles along with the fibers do wonders when it comes to lengthening the lashes. Take a look for yourself...

Bare Lashes

1 coat of Maybelline Illegal Length applied

2 coats of Maybelline Illegal Length applied

Is that some crazy length, or what? I love my lashes to contain some volume to them, and I feel like I get a little bit of that with this mascara. The formula is very lightweight. My lashes don't feel weighed down or heavy, and I also notice a pretty slight curl has been achieved as well. Plus, I find that this mascara darkens and separates my lashes quite well, and makes them really stand out. What really impressed me was the fact that I could easily get away with just applying one coat. One coat will give me long, natural looking lashes. But then when you up the coat count to two-three, the length really gets pumped up! I am really happy that I experienced no major clumping action with Illegal Length. Just don't go beyond three coats, or else it will start to clump up. When it came to drying time, I found that it dried relatively quick in between coats, so make sure to work a little quick or else you may risk clumping the lashes.

I find that this mascara lasts for the most part, all day on me. I saw no hint of smudging going on, but I did notice a tiny bit of flaking around the three hour mark. But it was barely noticeable. Also, the removal process is super simple. I use my Lancome Bi-Facil eye makeup remover (review coming soon), and it gets the job done easily.

If length is your goal, then you will most certainly find it with Illegal Length. I will definitely repurchase this mascara again. It's super affordable, and I just can't help but love the length that can be achieved with this mascara.

What do you all think of Illegal Length mascara by Maybelline?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased this product for my personal use.