Beauty Blog: March Hits!

Spring has sprung and we are officially moving into April so that means it's time for my beauty "hits" for the month of March! This month I used a lot of new products that I was impressed with so I am excited to share those with you. 

Nyx Lip Smacking Fun Colors in Tea Rose #628 ($2.99) - This packed with pigmentation tube is a steal for the quality. I always gravitate towards pinkish nudes and this shade is a beautiful mauve pink. I like the fact that it's highly pigmented and leaves my lips feeling moisturized. This has a nice shine to it and the color pay off lasts for hours! The scent is also nice as it doesn't smell like wax. The only downfall to these shades is the packaging and even the display doesn't give you the true color. You kind of pick these up and hope for the best. However, for how cheap they are I really shouldn't complain because I was impressed. I am looking forward to trying some more from this line because they do have some other shades that would be great for Spring. 

L'Oreal Lashout Butterfly Mascara in Blackest Black ($7.99) - I have had this for a while but I used it a lot this month. When I don't want a very heavy, full effect this mascara is great because it doesn't pack a ton of product on your lashes but still gives a beautiful full, feathered effect. The wand is what makes this mascara amazing because it's almost like an angled comb that feathers your lashes out to make the "butterfly effect". This mascara would be great for everyday wear because this doesn't give you a false lash effect -- it's very simple and natural. I didn't buy the waterproof formula and I was impressed with the staying power of this formula....it lasts all day but you don't have to scrub your lashes off trying to remove the product at night! It's a Win/Win if you ask me. 

Maybelline Expert Wear Quad in Autum Coppers ($5.99) - This was mentioned in a YouTube guru's video and I had been eyeing it for a while and I decided to pick it up after she raved about it. I am so glad I did because I have used it a ton this month. The colors are very complimentary to brown, green or hazel eyes. The colors are velvety soft and pretty pigmented. I do notice that they last longer when I wear a primer than when I forget to. There are 4 shades: base, eyelid, crease and liner so it's simple to use for those that aren't sure where they need to apply each color. It's fool proof. This should be a staple in your collection of shadows. 

Nyx Slide on, Glide on, and Definietly a Turn On Waterproof Eyeliner in Jet Black($8.00) - This liner from Nyx has won several beauty mag awards and I can see why because it's a great liner. It's waterproof so it's great to use in your waterlines and it glides on without a ton of tugging. It's mechanical so you don't have to worry about using a sharpener. This line also carries several other shades; some are very bright so if you play around with colored liners be sure to check this line out because it is a good product. As far as the lasting power, it lasts most of the day but it doesn't have the staying power like some of the liquid liners I have used but it will last around 8-9 hours. 

L'Oreal Miracle Blur Instant Eye Smoother ($20.00) - I have several problem areas around my eyes; underneath my eyes are pretty dark and I have several small fine lines around that area that I wanted to blur. This product just came out and I picked it up because the Miracle Blur worked wonders on my face. This has the same concept as it helps blur and diminish the appearance of fine lines in your eye area and it helps fade dark circles in 4+ weeks. I can tell a difference in my eye area when I use this because it does seem to lighten and blur my lines. I have also found that it helps my concealer glide on easier and it doesn't settle in my fine lines underneath my eyes. 

Nyx Illuminator in Narcissistic ($9.00) - I am a sucker for highlighters so I had to try this when I saw it at Ulta. It's the prettiest shade and highlights without a ton of sparkle on your face; it's very subtle. This would be pretty on any skin tone in my opinion. I like that this is a pretty pink, nude shade so it works well with about any shade of blush. It gives a nice healthy, youthful light to your cheekbones. This color has also won several beauty magazine awards so it's truly a great product. The pigmentation is amazing, the price is fair and the staying power is great. There are 4 shades in this line so there is one to compliment all skin tones. 

L'Oreal Revitalift Moisture Blur ($20.00) - I had ran out of my Miracle Blur and was beyond excited when this came out because I was on the fence about the formula with the original product. I am in LOVE with their new Moisture Blur because it has everything I need in one tube. It has 24 hour hydration, SPF and it helps blur the imperfections in my face. It basically mattes everything out so the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, large pores and pigmentation problems are barely noticeable. I wear this under my make-up and some days I just wear it alone if I am not wanting to put my face on but need to run errands. This is totally a holy grail item for me -- I will continue using this as long as they make it!! 

That wraps up my "hits" for the month of the March and this month I have no misses to talk about which is a good thing. That says I didn't waste money on beauty products that turned out to be crap. As always, thanks for reading and let me know if you have any questions on the products I have mentioned in this blog post! 

Product Empties: Yay or Nay?

This beauty blog post is basically highlighting all the "empties" (products I have used up) I have been collecting the past few months and letting you know how I liked them and if I would repurchase them or not. I enjoy reading these types of blogs and watching them on YouTube because you can get really good feedback because the person took the time to use the entire product so they have a good review based on emptying the container. So without dragging this out any further let me just get to the good stuff...my empties!

Bausch + Lomb Bio true - I have the worst luck when it comes to products for my eyes because they are so sensitive. It doesn't matter if it's makeup or contact solutions; I always manage to get a hold of something that irritates my eyes. I have been using this solution from B+L for over a year or two and it's the only one that seems to keep my eyes happy. My contacts stay fresh and clean without making them look like I just chopped an onion. This solution unlike the others is pH balanced to match your tears so it's basically working like your own eyes. The bottle states that it conditions, cleans, removes protein, disinfects, rinses and stores. It's good for soft contacts including silicone hydrogel lenses. This definitely is a YAY!

Olay Fresh Effects S'Wipe Out Makeup Removal Cloths - I purchased this as a clearance item at Publix and that should have been a red flag. I won't say that these are horrible because it's not the worst I have used but I did not like them as much as other towelettes I've tried. These were soft and the scent wasn't horrible but I felt that it didn't really remove my makeup as well as others have. I also didn't like the way my skin felt afterwards  because it's almost like it left a film of some sort on my face when I was finished. I will say I didn't like that if I even got anywhere near my eyes it would burn so using this to remove my eye makeup was impossible. This is a NAY!

Organix Coconut Milk Shampoo - This has been my favorite for a while now because I truly feel this makes my hair healthier. I picked this one out of the Organix line because it targets dry and damaged hair which is what I suffer from. I have very long hair which I dry and style with hot rollers so my hair suffers. This makes my already thick hair feel lighter and shinier. I also can't get over the smell -- it's heavenly. I like for my shampoo scents to linger and this does for at least 2-3 days. My hair is so dry that I usually wash mine every 2 days and the scent is still there when it's time to wash it again. I also like that this is sulfate free so it's not stripping my hair with harsh ingredients. This is a YAY!

 Crest 3D White Luxe Glamorous White toothpaste - I've been using this for months and like that it's a whitening toothpaste that doesn't hurt my gums. Most whitening pastes are too harsh on my teeth and gums and this one isn't. It leaves my mouth feeling very clean and seems to keep them whiter. This is a YAY!

Equate Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes - These are my trusty wipes that I always go back to. I tend to try new ones once in a while but keep going back to these at Wal-Mart. This is their version of the Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes. They work great and even get most of my waterproof mascara off and the scent is nice. I will say that when you get down to the last 10 towelettes they are really soaked so they can burn your eyes a tad but it's only the final few wipes.This is most definitely a YAY!

Kiss Everlasting French Petites Nails - These things are awesome and I am addicted to them. They last 7-10 days without chipping or breaking and they look real. They are thin so they look like your natural nail and I love the fact the offer the petite sizes for smaller hands. I use the "5 Second Nail Glue" with these and they are stuck on for days. I am always getting asked where I get my nails done and people look shocked when I tell them they are the Kiss Nails from your local drugstore. Seriously, check these out. They are great for special occasions or those who don't want the commitment to Acrylic Nails. They also don't tear up your nail bed like the Acrylic ones do so this one is a YAY!

Garnier Fructis Volume Extend Dry Shampoo - I was on the fence with this dry shampoo because I was torn for various reasons. First of all, I loved the smell. It made my hair smell fresh and clean. It was lightweight so it didn't weigh my hair down and it did add texture when applied to freshly clean hair. It didn't leave much of a powdery residue on my hair but I found it did leave it on my scalp which I could not stand. None of my other dry shampoos have done that. I will say that it did what it claimed; Extend volume, didn't weigh my hair down and it made it full and bouncy. However, I can't hang with the buildup it left behind so sadly this will be a NAY!

L'Oreal Revitalift Miracle Blur (Original Formula) - I was cursed with larger pores and dry skin so when this came out I was ecstatic. This is an instant skin smoother that helps reduce the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, pores and imperfections. It totally does all of that and almost works as a primer for your foundation. I am in love with the concept and the final product but I wasn't a fan of the texture of the original formula. With that being said they have TWO NEW formulas; Oil Free and the Moisturizer. I am in LOOOOVVVEEE with the Moisture Blur one because it's an all in one for me (moisturizes and blurs). This truly works and is worth the $20 so this is a YAAAYYYYYYY!

Fing'rs Prints Press-on Nails - This brand has some of the cutest nail styles/art that are so easy to use and are great for special occasions. I tried the ones that I have pictured for a "date night" and I was impressed. The only downfall to these is that they are press-on so they don't have the staying power for long wear. It says you could wear them 5-7 days but I am not so sure about that. Mine were pretty loose after applying so you definitely have to be careful while wearing them. I wish they made these so you could use nail glue. I tried peeling off the adhesive and it was too much work but I still think these are a YAY!! I will buy these again because they're to precious to pass up. 

Physician's Formula Fake-Out Mascara - This mascara is great for those who suffer from super sensitive eyes and want a full lash effect. The mascara itself is 100% organic so you aren't putting a ton of harsh chemicals on your lashes...BUT that is part of the downfall of this product because it's not offered in a waterproof formula. I prefer waterproof formulas because my eyes tend to water so I would get some product transfer when wearing this. However, the formula and brush is amazing because it produces a very full, thick lash effect that is similar to false lashes. I would buy this again if I didn't have issues with watery eyes because it's great for sensitive eyes as well as those who wear contacts. So in my opinion this would be a YAY! I actually have saved the wand of this mascara so I can use it with some of my other mascaras because it coats each and every lash!

Wilkinson Sword Tech 3 Cartridges - I absolutely hate paying a fortune for razors and luckily I stumbled across this brand at Wal-Mart. I was a Venus user for years and the cost of cartridges just burned me up so I decided to try this brand that is available at Wal-Mart. I bought the ladies razor which is called the Wilkinson "Oasis" and then I bought the Tech 3 cartridges because four cost you $6!!! I get a nice clean shave in all areas and I didn't pay an arm and leg for it. It leaves my legs super smooth and I have never been nicked. The cartridges have 3 blades and the Aloe/Vitamin E strip. I have been using these for at least 3 years if not longer so this is a definite YAY!! 

Wet-n-Wild H20 Proof Eyeliner - If you follow my blog you should know I would have an empty of this gem. I love the WnW H20 proof liner because once it's on it doesn't fade or transfer. I love the felt tip brush because I can do a thin or thick line that looks nice and it's super easy to apply. The formula is nice because it doesn't goop up after a few uses like some of the other liquid liners do. I still lover my L'Oreal liquid liner but this one is just as good and easier to use in my opinion. The best part of this liner is that it's dirt cheap and works just as good (if not better) than the high end brands. So, yes, this is a 100% YAY! 

That wraps up my empties for the past few months! I hope that this post has been helpful or gave you some insight on products that you may have been thinking about purchasing. As always, thanks for reading and be on the lookout for my next post. It may be an entry for "A Must or Bust" because I have tried several new products that hit the market in January and February! 

Beauty Blog: February "Hits & MIsses"

The month of February flew by and is now over so that means it's time for me to share my favorite beauty products of the month plus a couple of "misses" that I encountered. I have tried several new products this past month and I am excited to share those with you because I was amazed by a few of them! So, with that, let's just get on with the reviews for this month -- sorry if there are repeats, I think I may have one but it means it's just that good!!

 Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream ($12.00) - I am pretty sure I have mentioned this before in a beauty blog post but I can't get over how good this BB cream really is. I have now tried FIVE drugstore BB creams and this is the only one that I have liked and use a ton. I like the fact that this has SPF 10 in it and that the coverage is almost as good as your typical medium-full coverage foundations. I use the shade "Light/Medium" and it's a perfect match to my skin tone. The only thing I noticed is that some days it gives me too much of a dewy effect so I use powder to matte it out. If you are a very oily person you would definitely want to matte it out because it may end up making you look more oily than normal. The staying power is amazing as it lasts all day until you take it off with whatever method you use for removing your makeup. I use this on days when I don't feel like doing a full face and I have also used this on days where I do apply I full face. Either way I am in love with this product.

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette ($52.00) - This came out around the holidays and had a lot of hype surrounding it's debut. The Naked 3 palette has 12 shades in various shades of rose gold -- only 3 of those are matte shadows. I have really enjoyed this palette because you can do all types of looks with it so it's very versatile and that makes it worth the purchase in my opinion. I will say that I found this palette to have a lot of fall out so you have to be careful when applying your eyeshadow. I would be interested to see if the Naked 2 palette has an issue with fallout because that would be a deal breaker for me. I will say I am completely in love with the following shades in this pallet: Strange, Nooner, Factory, Dark Side, Liar and Trick. 

Maybelline Master Hi-Lighting Blush in Nude ($8.00) - OMG! I didn't think anything could top my favorite blush, Luminoso by Milani but this has. I have not stopped wearing it since I purchased it in January! Maybelline has 6 shades in this line and I purchase the Nude and Coral. This is an all in one product that highlights as well as gives you a hint of natural color on your cheeks. Out of the two I purchased the Nude is my favorite but I think once I get a tan the Coral shade will look great too. This is a must have in your makeup collection! It's fool proof if you are intimidated by highlighters. 

Benefit's "They're Real!" Mascara ($23.00) - I received a trial size tube of this from Sephora for my birthday and I've been obsessed with it. If you want to splurge a little on your mascara then you should check this one out! It's amazing how full your lashes look with just one coat of this stuff. After 2 coats your lashes could pass as falsies. Don't get me wrong...I still LOVE all of my L'Oreal mascaras but if I ever wanted to buy a higher end mascara this would be the one. It doesn't irritate my sensitive eyes and it lasts all day long. I think the brush is what makes this mascara so amazing because the bristles are separated enough that you don't get clumps and each lash is coated with the mascara. It's going to be a sad day when I get to the bottom of this mascara tube because I may be forced to buy the full size expensive tube. 

Nyx Butter Glosses ($4.99) - My CVS just recently started carrying NYX products so I am a virgin when it comes to this line. I picked up two tubes of the butter glosses and I questioned why I didn't try these sooner at Ulta. First of all, they smell AMAZING and the formula isn't sticky like you get with most of your lip glosses. It really does melt onto you lips after applying and they're packed with pigmentation. I can't stop buying these when I go into CVS because I think I am addicting to them. They are great to wear alone or on top of a shade. The ones that I have picked up and loved are: Tiramisu, Peach Cobbler and Apple Strudel.

Nyx Soft Matte Lip Cream ($5.99) - I typically steer clear of matte lip shades because I feel they make my lips look dried out. I bought one matte shade in this line and I was impressed with the outcome. This line does not make my lips look like a dried up raisin and the color payoff is phenomenal. I also love the smell of these too. I typically apply one of the Nyx Butter Glosses over it but I really don't have to -- I think it's just habit. The shades that I have tried and loved are: Stockholm, Antwerp and San Paulo. I can't wait to buy a few more of these because they have changed my opinion on matte lipsticks.

L'Oreal Silkissime Eyeliner in Plum ($8.00) - I had been looking for a nice cobalt blue liner and ran across this one at CVS. Even though the packaging says "Plum" I swear it's a dark cobalt blue. This glides nicely over your lid and has all day staying power. It also doesn't irritate my super sensitive eyes like most liners do. They currently have 4 shades available in the drugstore. They claim this lasts up to 16 hours and as I cant attest to to that it does last all day until I take it off with my makeup remover. If you aren't a fan of liquid liners then you may want to try this line because the colors are deep and rich but last all day. 




So, now time for the misses for February......

Physian's Formula Shimmer Strips All-in-One Nude Pallette ($13.99) - This is supposed to be an all in one box of color. You can use it as a highlighter, contouring and for eye shadows. In my opinion this is a FAIL. It's completely hard to use that way because the tiny blocks of color mix all together and when reading the instructions you walk away more puzzled than you did before you started. I basically have to use this as an eyeshadow palette because it's too hard to use it any other way. The color pigmentation is great, not a lot of fall out but for how they want this to be used isn't practical. 

Revlon Colorburst Laquer Balm ($7.00) - I picked up two of these when they first hit the drugstore because I had watched several guru's raving about them. Honestly, I don't get the hype. These things do nothing for me and the color pay off is poor. I know it's supposed to be a lightweight, sheer coverage but I don't feel like it even does that. I applied both of them and it looks like I have nothing on my lips. I was really disappointed in these and it makes me sad to think I wasted $14 on two products that are pointless. 

There y'all have it ladies -- my hits and misses for February. I hope this has been helpful!