NYX Cosmetics will be back on HauteLook tomorrow!

NYX Cosmetics will be featured on HauteLook on Monday, October 1. HauteLook sales always start at 8 AM PST.

I have been really happy with the NYX cosmetics items that I own. I really love their cream blush. I just bought some eyeshadow in the 40% off sale at Ulta. The eyeshadows I bought are great quality, and I only wish I had discovered them sooner! I will share swatches and reviews soon, but I also placed an order online so I am waiting for my order to come in the mail. 

Revlon ColorBurst Lipgloss in Bellini

Today I'm going to show you my new favorite lipgloss.  I know I have spent a lot of time talking about how much I dislike lipgloss.  Your hair gets stuck in it, it's sticky... I can go on and on, but I have been loving nude lips recently.  Seriously, this gloss looks GORGEOUS over nude lipstick.
This is the Revlon ColorBurst Lipgloss in Bellini.   

The black quilted top is gorgeous.  The gloss isn't sticky.  It goes on very smooth and creamy.  It smells like vanilla extract.  I just love it.

It has a sponge-tipped applicator.  It's not the typical doe-foot applicator.  It's kind of a pinched applicator, so it is thin on the sides (shown) and flat on the two other sides. 

This is a gorgeous, somewhat sheer peachy gloss.  Like I said before, it looks gorgeous over a nude lipstick.   

Do you own this gloss?  What do you think of it?

CVS and Walgreens Deals 9/30-10/6

CVS definitely has some good deals on cosmetics this week, but Walgreens doesn't have as much going on.

I will definitely be stopping by CVS to pick up some Wet n Wild products and some more Physicians Formula eyeliners from my September favorites.

Here is a quick summary of the make-up deals this week.

CVS

• CoverGirl Face, Eye or Lip - Buy 1 Get 1 50% off - $10 ExtraBucks when you spend $30 on select P&G products
• CoverGirl Lash Perfection mascara, Lip Perfection lip color or lip liner - 2/$12
• L'Oreal Lip or Nail - $3 ExtraBucks when you spend $10
• L'Oreal Face or Eye - Buy 1 Get 1 50% off
• Almay eye make-up remover - $5.49 and get $2 ExtraBucks
• Wet n Wild - Buy 1 Get 1 Free!
• Revlon cosmetics - Buy 1 Get 1 50% off
• Maybelline cosmetics - Buy 1 Get 1 50% off
• Physicians Formula - Spend $10 and get $7 ExtraBucks

 Walgreens

• L'Oreal Eye, Lip or Nail - Buy 1 Get 1 50% off - Buy 3, Get 500 balance rewards points
• CoverGirl cosmetics - Buy 1 Get 1 50% off
• Maybelline foundation, primer, concealer, blush, powder and lip cosmetics - Buy 1 Get 1 50% off

September 2012 - Favorite Beauty Products

It's already time for monthly favorites again! Here are a few of the stand out products that I have been using this month.

• Revlon PhotoReady Bronzed & Chic Bronzer ($12.99 at drugstores) - This has been my new favorite contour.  I swirl all four colors together, concentrating more on the lighter shades.  I have a full review of this bronzer coming, but I had to include it in my favorites because I have been using it almost daily. 

• Hard Candy Glamoflauge concealer in Light ($6 & only available at Walmart) - This has been one of my two favorite concealers for a long while.  I use my Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser under my eyes, and I use Glamoflauge to cover imperfections on my face.  The color must run light, because it was too light for me during the summer.  It's very creamy and easy to blend.  I have started using my Sedona Lace  brushes to apply it, and it works great!

• Maybelline Color Tattoo 24 hr eyeshadow in Gold Shimmer ($6.99 at drugstores) - I'm surprised that I love Gold Shimmer as much as I do, but this color has been great this month!  I use my Color Tattoos as an eyeshadow base.  I can use the same powder eyeshadow with a different Color Tattoo to achieve an entirely different look.  I have been using Gold Shimmer to brighten up my eye looks.  It's an easy choice when I'm in a hurry.

• Physicians Formula eyeliner in Black from the Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Eyeliner Trio ($11.99 at drugstores) - This was a surprise to me.  I picked these up during a CVS sale, and I can't wait to buy more.  This eyeliner stays ALL day.  I was trying to find a new liner that wouldn't smudge, because I hate to come home from work with eyeliner smudged under my eyes.  I haven't used another eyeliner since I purchased this, because it stays put all day. 

• Revlon Lip Butter in Creme Brulee ($7.49 at drugstores) - This has been my favorite nude lip during September.  Since I've been trying more lipsticks, I now understand why everyone went crazy over the Revlon Lip Butters when they first came out.  They feel moisturizing, and they color payoff is really great.  Creme Brulee is a perfect nude, and it's effortless to apply. 

Hard Candy Glamoflauge in Light, Revlon Lip Butter in Creme Brulee, Physicians Formula Eyeliner in Black, Maybelline Color Tattoo in Gold Shimmer, Revlon PhotoReady Bronzer

What were your September favorites?

L'Oreal Colour Riche Caresse Sticks in Cotton Pink, Rose Taffeta and Sheer Linen

I went a little crazy buying L'Oreal lipsticks last week.  CVS and Walgreens had sales, and I had coupons!  I was very tempted to try the L'Oreal Colour Riche Caresse Sticks.  I decided to pick up the colors Cotton Pink, Rose Taffeta, and Sheer Linen.


The packaging is really pretty.  I like that they show to color, so you can easily tell which color you are reaching for.

L'Oreal Colour Riche Caresse Sticks in Cotton Pink, Sheer Linen & Rose Taffeta

The packaging is actually very similar to the L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm that I reviewed a few months ago.  I have been loving the L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm, so I couldn't wait to try these Caresse Sticks! 

I have to admit, when I first put these on, I hated them.  They have a light, greasy feeling, and I felt like I had just smeared a stick of butter on my lips.  I don't know if these are supposed to be similar to Revlon Lip Butters, but the Revlon Lip Butters feel a little thicker than these.  I can't think of a better way to describe it other than it feels like greasy butter on my lips.

That being said, I have gotten used to the texture, and I don't mind it as much anymore.  I think I was expecting a heavier, lipstick feel, and these don't have that at all.  I was also hoping these would be more like the L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm.  The Colour Riche Balm is something I can throw on without having to look in the mirror.  It gives a nice, glossy look with a very sheer color tint.  The Colour Riche Caresse Sticks are very pigmented, so I feel like I need to check them in a mirror.  The good news is that the lipstick tube is like a mirror, so I can use it to do a quick check.

I also find that the color really catches on chapped lips.  I need to make sure my lips have been exfoliated, or the color really gets clumps at any spot that dry or peeling, even a little bit.     

Now that I've gotten past my initial reservations, these really are pigmented.  I guess I was expecting them to be a bit more sheer, but they have a really great color payoff.  They have a nice sheen to them, so it looks like you are wearing a balm.    

Overall, I like these, but I won't be running out to rebuy them or try other colors.  They might be a nice summer product, because they have a sheen without having to layer multiple products.  I think they are pricey at $9.99 each, so I'm glad I got them on sale with coupons!

Battle of the Matte Bronzers: theBalm Bahama Mama vs. Benefit Hoola

It's been a month since I posted a Battle of the Highlighters comparing the Hardy Candy So Baked Bronzer in Tiki and theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer.  Oddly enough, I am comparing another product from theBalm today in my Battle of the Bronzers.

Today I am featuring theBalm's Bahama Mama Bronzer and Benefit's Hoola.  I don't have a full size Hoola bronzer, but the product is the same even if this is only the deluxe sample size.

 Here is what the Hoola full sized packaging looks like.  

Packaging:  Both of these products come in cardboard packaging.  Both have mirrors.  Hoola comes with a brush, but I never use the brushes that come with the products.  Bahama Mama is much more compact and easier to store than Hoola (the reason I opted for the deluxe sample instead of the full size).  I feel like there is a lot of wasted space in the Hoola packaging.  Since the bronzer sits lower in the box, I think it would be difficult to get the last bits of product out without destroying your brush once you have hit pan. 

Size:  Bahama Mama is .25oz, while the full size Hoola is .28oz.  The Hoola deluxe sample is 0.1oz.

Product:  Both products are a powder.  Hoola is a bit softer than Bahama Mama.

 

Color:  The swatches look very similar.  Both are matte bronzers, so they are perfect for contouring.  I don't think they make me look orange, and they don't look like dirt on my cheeks.  Bahama Mama is a bit darker and more bronzy.

Availability:  theBalm cosmetics are available on their website.  Certain products are available at Sephora.com, but I didn't see Bahama Mama on Sephora's website.  Hoola is available at Sephora, Ulta, and Benefit's website.  I'm sure you can also find it at other online retailers.      

Cost:  Both of these are higher end bronzers.  Bahama Mama is $19 on theBalm's website.  I found mine at Marshall's in a set for $10.  Hoola is $28 at Sephora.  Ouch. 

I got my deluxe sample size of Hoola in the Tan About Town kit at Sephora.  It was $12 and included deluxe samples of Some Kind-A Gorgeous in Medium (WAAAAAY too dark for me to use) and BadGal lash. 

Overall:  These are both good products.  Bahama Mama is nicer for your budget, but Hoola is a long-time YouTube favorite.  I would recommend that you try the Tan About Town kit to see if Hoola works for you before spending $28 on it.

tarte Fantastic Foursome 4-Piece Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush Enthusiast Set

From the moment that I saw this blush set on Sephora's website, I knew I had to have it.  The tarte Fantastic Foursome 4-Piece Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush Enthusiast Set comes with 4 Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Angelic (shimmering champagne), Fantastic (soft fuchsia), Magic (pink coral) and Stellar (shimmering nude).  Each blush is 0.1 oz, which is half the size of the full sized blushes.  The set is $35 (a $60 value).  A full size 0.2 oz tarte blush is $25!

I already own one blush from tarte, and I really wanted to get my hands on a few more.  The high price of $25 each has been the only thing stopping me from trying a few more colors.  This limited edition holiday set is a great way to try a few shades without committing to the full retail price.  I don't mind that these blushes are a smaller size, because I have yet to use up a blush.

Here are some pictures and some quick swatches of this set.

 Top of the box -

 Back of the box -

 

Angelic, Fantastic, Magic, Stellar

Angelic

Fantastic

Magic

Stellar

tarte blush is soft, long-wearing and very blendable.  I'm surprised to say that I think Magic will be my favorite of the bunch, but I can't wait to try them all!  Angelic is definitely a beautiful highlight.

What are your thoughts? Will you be picking this set up?

Ulta 40% on NYX, Revlon, Physicians Formula and Almay

Don't forget Ulta is having a 40% off sale on all NYX, Revlon, Physicians Formul and Almay products in store and online through Saturday! I stopped by today, and my store still had a lot available, but the woman who was working said everything was going FAST! They had already restocked and most of that was already gone.

I recommend that you hurry to Ulta if there is something you want.  Be sure to bring your coupon for $3.50 off a $10 purchase, too!  It can be used on sale items.

Happy shopping!

How to Depot Vintage Urban Decay Eyeshadow

Last weekend, I decided to try to depot two my Urban Decay Vintage Eyeshadows to put in my new Urban Decay Build Your Own Palette.  I was nervous that I would destroy my eyeshadows, but I really wanted to transfer two of them to the new palette.

As it turns out, it wasn't terrible as I expected it would be.  In fact, it only took a few minutes for me to depot two shadows.

Here is how I did it.

What I used:  Two small, flat head screwdrivers.  This picture only has one, but I quickly realized I needed two.  I was going to try to use tweezers, but I was afraid I would put a gash in the middle of my eyeshadow.  I think two small, flat head screwdrivers work best.

I put one screwdriver in the opening where the lid connects.  I pushed the screwdriver as far down into the case as I could before I wedged up the black eyeshadow pot.  The goal of this was to lift the black eyeshadow pot enough so I could fit another screwdriver between the black pot and the silver packaging.  Once I had the second screwdriver in place, I slowly twisted it and forced it around the edge so it would break free.  The black eyeshadow pot broke free when I was less than 1/4 way around, so it didn't take long at all!

The hardest part is lifting the shadow up to get enough space to fit a second screwdriver.  It really isn't difficult to free the eyeshadow.

I did put a dent in one of my eyeshadows when I tried to put the screwdriver in the front of the packaging.  I had more success by lifting it from the back first.

In case you were wondering, the Vintage eyeshadows fit perfectly in the Build Your Own Palette.  They are also easy to remove from the palette.   

I am really happy that I have my eyeshadows in a palette now.  It is really easy to grab one palette in the morning, instead of picking picking through all of my single eyeshadows.

Good luck!

L'Oreal Project Runway Limited Edition Blush - The Queen's Blush

If you read my last post on the L'Oreal Project Runway Limited Edition Eyeshadow Quad - The Queen's Gaze, you know that I found a brand new display for the L'Oreal Project Runway Collection at Walgreen's.

This is The Queen's Blush, and it was $9.99 for .35 oz of product.

 Here is the list of ingredients on the back of the packaging.

 .... and a close up of the blush.

I have two other blushes from L'Oreal, and I wasn't really impressed with them.  This blush is nice.  It was difficult to swatch, because I had to work to build up the color, but it gives a nice flush to the cheeks.

Are you planning to pick up any items from this year's Project Runway Collection?

L'Oreal Project Runway Limited Edition Eyeshadow Quad - The Queen's Gaze

I ran to Walgreen's this evening to pick up a new lip liner (blog post on that coming soon), and I ran across a fully stocked display for the new L'Oreal Limited Edition Project Runway Collection.  I don't know why this store got the Project Runway Collection, because they still don't have a display for the Maybelline Limited Edition Color Tattoos!

Anyway, I had told myself that I wasn't going to buy any of the Project Runway Collection, but once I saw it in person, there were two items that I had to try!  Plus, L'Oreal cosmetics were Buy One, Get One 50% off.  I purchased The Queen's Blush and The Queen's Gaze.  Click HERE for my post on The Queen's Blush.  

Believe it or not, I don't have a lot of grey eyeshadow.  In fact, the only grey eyeshadow that I own is in my Urban Decay Naked palette.  I have plenty of black eyeshadow, but I don't have grey.  I rarely wear greys or smokey eyes, so I haven't needed them.  Today happened to be the day that I decided I wanted to wear greys and smokey eyes this fall instead of my normal brown AND the day that I found this palette at Walgreen's.  It was meant to be, right?! 

I love the packaging.  I'm a sucker for packaging that is compact and stacks/stores easily.  I also think the clear front makes it look even more beautiful.  It seems solid, and I like that.  It contains .16oz of eyeshadow, and it was $8.99 at Walgreen's.  You can also buy it online for the same price from Ulta. 

Here's the list of ingredient on the back of the packaging.

 

Here's a closer look at the colors.  I think it's a great selection to create a fall smokey eye.  I can't wait to play with these eyeshadows.

I swatched the colors clockwise from the top left color.  As usual, I did not use a primer.

Since I always like to compare similar items in my collection, here are a few comparison swatches.  As you can tell, the Wet n Wild eyeshadow goes on much softer and creamier than the L'Oreal shadow.

Urban Decay's Gunmetal is similar to the bottom right shade in The Queen's Gaze, but just a bit lighter.

Overall, I'm happy with this purchase.  The lighter colors seem to swatch easier than the darkest shade, but I'm hoping it will apply better with a brush.  I'm planning to use it as a crease or outer v color, so I don't think I will have problems with it.

I love the packaging of the L'Oreal Project Runway Collection, and I think The Queen's Gaze is the perfect combination of colors for the fall!

theBalm Cosmetics - Back on HauteLook on Monday 9/24

It looks like theBalm Cosmetics will be back on HauteLook on Monday, September 24th.  As always, the sale will start at 8 AM PST.

Hopefully they will have Mary-Lou Manizer, which is my favorite highlighter for 50% off again!  I also bought the Nude 'Tude palette for 50% off on HauteLook.

If you want to see my other posts on theBalm products, you can check out these links:

• The Balm Cosmetics Kits at Marshalls (& TJ Maxx)
• The Balm Cosmetics Eye, Lip & Nail Products
• The Balm Cosmetics Blushes, Bronzers, and Highlighter
• Battle of the Highlighters Hard Candy's Tiki vs. The Balm's Mary-Lou Manizer
• The Balm Cosmetics Nude 'Tude Eyeshadow Palette 

theBalm Nude 'Tude Eyeshadow Palette

Today I will be showing you my Nude 'tude Eyeshadow Palette from theBalm Cosmetics.  It's available on theBalm's website for $36.  It has also been featured on HauteLook for $18, which is half the price.  I picked mine up on HauteLook a few months ago.

Nude 'Tude has the same sturdy (I want to call it cardboard) packaging that a lot of theBalm blushes, bronzers and eye shadows come in.

The back of the palette shows all of the eyeshadow shades and color names.

 The palette comes in a sleeve.

The is the "Feeling Naughty" version of the palette.  The "Feeling Nice" version doesn't have the girls on the inside.  It has a small, double-ended eyeshadow brush, but I prefer to use a fluffier, softer brush.

Here are close ups of the eyeshadows.

 

These swatches have been applied with a make-up brush. 

theBalm Cosmetics Nude 'Tude Palette:  Sassy, Stubborn, Selfish, Sophisticated, Sexy, Serious, Snobby, Stand-offish, Sultry, Seductive, Silly, Sleek

The darker colors proved to be very difficult to swatch.  I typically use my finger to do swatches, and this is what I ended up with.  They applied much smoother with a brush.

theBalm Cosmetics Nude 'Tude Palette:  Sassy, Stubborn, Selfish, Sophisticated, Sexy, Serious, Snobby, Stand-offish, Sultry, Seductive, Silly, Sleek

This is a nice selection of colors, but for some reason, I never reach for this palette.  I probably wouldn't rebuy it, because I think there are better eyeshadow palettes out there.  I love theBalm's face products, but I'm not sold on their eyeshadows yet. 


If you are interested in the Balm products, here are some other posts on theBalm cosmetics:

• The Balm Cosmetics Kits at Marshalls (& TJ Maxx)
• The Balm Cosmetics Eye, Lip & Nail Products
• The Balm Cosmetics Blushes, Bronzers, and Highlighter
• Battle of the Highlighters Hard Candy's Tiki vs. The Balm's Mary-Lou Manizer

Urban Decay Vintage Eyeshadow $6 at Sephora.com

Sephora has the Urban Decay Vintage Eyeshadows marked down to $6.

They have a good selection, so if there were any colors that were sold out on the Urban Decay website, you should check the Sephora sale!
 


If you want to check out my Vintage Eyeshadow haul and swatches, click HERE .

For a comparison of the new Eyeshadows and the Vintage Eyeshadow, click HERE.