Maybelline Superstay Better Skin Foundation Review

selfies with Maybelline foundation on

First off, I should note that I received this free for testing purposes from Influenster. I received this to try at the warmest point of summer and I was a bit skeptical about how well it would perform in the Michigan heat and humidity. Usually I’m sweating off whatever I put on my face within minutes. I was pleasantly surprised at the staying power of this foundation though. When I’d blot my face (as I frequently needed to do) there was minimal transfer of make up. And one of the biggest benefits was the lack of break outs! My skin tends to freak out about things and did fine with this product even after wearing it several days in a row. After hours of sweating and blotting, it does wear off (the photo on the left is after quite a few hours of wear on a very hot and sweaty day) but on a cooler day, it stays put. It will eventually start to look gross in my t zone (I get pretty oily there) but responds well to blotting papers.

I would say that it gives light to medium coverage and is at least a little buildable, though I did not test that to it’s full capacity. I didn’t have too much extra to cover that needed a lot of building. It has a smooth, soft, not at all greasy texture. I would say this would be good for someone who likes a more matte finish, rather than dewy. I gave a bottle to my mother and she felt pretty meh about it. She prefers more of a dewy/oily finish and this does not give that at all. I would (and have already) purchase this again and would recommend it without hesitation.

Beauty Boxes Galore!

Fab Fit Fun Spring 2015

I have a ton of new things to test out. I hope to have some of it reviewed here eventually. I know I always say that and it rarely seems to happen. But it could happen! I actually designated a little notebook just for jotting thoughts when I try a new product to make it easier to write up reviews later. Now I just need to use it more consistently. 🙂

My most recent boxes (that are all still on the dining room table) have been my Spring 2015 FabFitFun box, Spring 2015 Walmart Beauty box, and my March Birchbox. My April Birchbox is on its way and should be arriving on Tuesday.

The FabFitFun box has some great items in it this time. But I do expect that, as it costs more and comes quarterly. That scarf (left side of the photo) is so pretty and makes me wish that I felt more comfortable wearing scarves (or had more things to wear them with?) I need to get over that. Peep the info card here for details on everything inside.

Walmart beauty box spring 2015

The Walmart Beauty Box was also pretty good this time. It was more focused on skin care than cosmetics this time, but that’s ok with me. I get my makeup fix through ipsy and birchbox. I am really excited to try that body wash. I’m all about smelling good.

And speaking of Birchbox… I had intended to film an unboxing video and so I never unpacked the box. I’m now wondering if I should just give up on that idea. I want to start using the things! Not that I remember anything that was in it aside from a blush that I’m really looking forward to trying. I’m thinking I should set a deadline for videos. If it’s not recorded within the first few days, it’s probably not going to happen and I should just open it already.

Yves Saint Laurent Volume Effet Faux Cils Mascara Review

Well... you can't say it doesn't look natural.  **Yves Saint Laurant Mascara Volume Egger Faux Cils received free from @influenster for testing purposes. #YSLMascara

I’m testing a new mascara and I have thoughts! The packaging is nice. The body of the tube is a lovely rose gold and the cap is more of a true gold. I wasn’t able to get a photo that did it justice yesterday so definitely check out the link to the YSL site up there to check it out.

The product has a creamy consistency. It doesn’t go on thick, but it looks thicker in the tube. You get a LOT of product on the wand. I had to be very careful about removing the excess to avoid really gooping up my lashes. I’ve read other reviews that mention that it has a scent but it must be very light because I didn’t notice one at all (but now I’m going to be sure to go home and smell it because I’m curious.)

But now on to the important part – how does it wear? Well… naturally, I guess would be the most accurate way I could put it. I did not find that it provided length or volume on my lashes. It darkened them nicely, which my lashes need. They’re very light at the tips and that makes them look a lot shorter than they are when I don’t have anything on them. So this provided the definition that my lashes naturally lack, but did it in a way that looks natural. You can’t really tell that I have anything on as well. This is also true of how it feels. It’s lightweight. I can’t feel that I have anything on my lashes. They don’t catch on each other or stick together. They’re not stiff and crunchy at all. There was no clumping and once I made sure to remove the excess from the wand, there were no gloops either.

I wore it all day yesterday. Right after I applied it, there were a few specks on my cheeks and I worried that there would be flaking throughout the day, but that did not end up being the case are all. Once I brushed away those initial flakes, it was fine from then on. It looked exactly the same at the end of the night as it did when I first applied it.

If I were going for a very light or no-makeup look, this would be the first thing I would reach for. But with a look that required my lashes to stand out a bit more, this one would not be up to the task.

UPDATE:
After having some more time with this mascara, I’ve come to like it more and more. I discovered that I can get away with wiping less of it off of the brush and thus applying more without it looking clumpy and goopy. This is good and definitely made it more visible, while still remaining flexible and not crunchy. I will definitely consider purchasing this if I’m ever in a position to purchase a mascara again. I keep getting so many samples though that I don’t know when that might be.

***I received this product complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes***

The Balm Read My Lips gloss

loving this. The Balm Read My Lips gloss in BAM!

In my February Birchbox, I received a sample of The Balm’s Read My Lips gloss in BAM! and I LOVE it. The scent/taste is fantastic! It is delightfully fruity. The color is very natural and just a little lighter than a “my lips but better” shade would be. I will likely purchase it again and might try out the ZAAP! shade as well. ZAAP! looks like it has a bit of shimmer in it though and that might keep me away from that one. I also have my eye on GRRR! Alas, one negative note: the texture does nothing for me, as it has that sticky gloss feel that I’m not fond of. And for some reason, glosses with that texture seem to wear unevenly on different parts of my lips. I like an even uniform slip feel when I rub my lips together.

Another note, since I’m just about to watch the most recent video, I’d like to recommend the What’s Up In Makeup series of videos from Jen Luv’s Reviews on YouTube. I have been loving these videos! I always find a few things I had not heard about yet that I want to check out.

Influenster Frosty VoxBox

***All products received free from Influenster for testing purposes.***

In this box, I received:

No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Advanced Serum – 3ml sample packet
Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane Decaffeinated Green Tea – 2 tea bags
Ecotools Sleek + Shine Finisher hair brush
Rimmel Gentle Eye Makeup Remover – 125mL
Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal pencil eye liner – Black
Red Vines Fruit Vines Bites Strawberry Flavor – 5 oz.
McCormick Gourmet All Natural Thyme – .62 oz.
NYC Expert Last Lip Color – 418 Sugar Plum

So far, I have had the chance to try the NYC lipstick and the Rimmel eye makeup remover. I’ll review those soon. I feel positive feelings about both so far. I’ve had Candy Cane Lane before and I know that I like that.

I look forward to trying all of the things in this box, with perhaps the exception of the brush. I’m pretty attached to my Mason Pearson. I’ll still give it a try though!

Some things I have my eye on

My latest thing has been YouTube. I have been watching many, many YouTube videos. And very recently, I have been watching many many beauty and make up channels. This has been awesome and inspiring and has made me want to get out my make up and play. It has also made me want to shop, and my budget is not really allowing that. Alas. But here are a few things that I *would* be snatching up if I could.

The first time I fell in love with a perfume was around age 14. One of the ways my friends and I liked to spend our weekends was walking around the local mall. Around this time Elizabeth Taylor’s perfumes seemed to be pretty popular and one of the varieties that existed was Diamonds and Sapphires. I LOVED it. Every week, we’d wander through all the stores, and I’d spray myself with the sample. Eventually, when I was a little older, I got a bottle of it for Christmas. It was discontinued, though I’m told one can maybe still find it through the online discount perfume stores. I had forgotten just how much I loved it. Until the other night when I was walking around Meijer in search of a Wet & Wild eye shadow palette (which I did not find. I think I missed the boat on the after party palette.) and I passed a display of Coach fragrances. Two of the three were labeled fruity florals so I sprayed one on each wrist and went on about my business. Then I actually sniffed them. And one of them smells JUST LIKE DIAMONDS AND SAPPHIRES YOU GUYS. I kept sniffing my wrist and happily sighing. I went back to the display and sprayed myself more times than I’m going to admit to. Wrists, neck, coat. As much as I could with it being a stuck down sample bottle. I wanted to bathe in it and buy it on the spot. But I restrained myself. Because it was $45? I think? Maybe $42. More than I could justify at any rate. But that was fine, because then I found it for much less on Amazon and Sephora, which will make it much more do-able. Perhaps if I have any birthday money to spare. Coach Poppy Flower will be mine.

Moving on to the make up!

Next on the list of pretty new things that I would like to own: Divergent Multi-Piece Collectors Kit

I just watched a video reviewing/swatching everything in this kit. Everything in it looks so pretty! It’s a lot more neutral than I tend to want to buy but there is a lot of shimmer, which I am definitely into.

It includes a bunch of eye shadow, a couple blushes, a highlighter, a bronzer, 4 lip glosses, and a dual ended brush. It’s just under $60 and this is why it will not be coming home with me, much as I would love it.

And finally, Divergent Multi-Piece Collector’s Palette

This is a smaller collection with some more similar mostly neutral colors. Still so pretty! It includes 3 eye shadows, a blush, a bronzer, and a lip gloss and is $32.50 (sadly, still not coming home with me.)

I’s still been on the sample kick and have had a lot of things that I’ve been intending to review. They’re coming. Hopefully. Maybe. We’ll see.

Too Faced Naturally Naughty for Fall 2009

Ooh! I get all sorts of things in my email but an email I got today from Too Faced really makes me want to hit up a Sephora sooner than later. It’s too bad that I don’t have one anywhere near me and tend to only go when I’m in Chicago. It might be a while before I make it back.

There are a few things in their Naturally Naughty fall lineup that I would love to check out. Here is a list! I love lists!

Absolutely Invisible Candlelight pressed powder: I like things that are supposed to make me glowy. I know there is a chance that it might not be *good* glowy, which is why I want to try these things out in the store, of course. But in theory, it would be a good thing! It’s supposed to be vitamin and antioxidant enriched and warm and illuminate the skin. Wee!

Primed and Poreless face primer: If this worked, it, too, would be fabulous! I use an eyeshadow primer (Urban Decay’s Primer Potion) and it has made such a huge difference in how my eye makeup wears and lasts. I don’t know how I survived so long without it, actually. So if I could find something for my face that would make me similarly happy, then yay! I’m always looking for things to make my skin prettier and this might be a winner.

Lip of Luxury lipstick: There are a few shades I’d like to try. Like Sex Kitten. Bonus that it’s a “sparkly berry wine” shade which I might actually be able to pull off. Mostly I just want it because of the name. I’d also like to try Drop Dead Red and Cupcake.

Hopefully I’ll get the chance to try these out soon. Anyone tried any of the new products yet? What do you think?

holiday party must-have set from Tarte cosmetics!

Received an email this morning about this set – a $57 value – for $25. It’s available online only and there are only 150 of them so if you want one, you should probably snag it fast.

The set includes: rejuvelash, to revive and restore your lashes; blotting papers; fRxation, to exfoliate and soothe your lips; and vitamin infused lipstick in “vinyasa (siren red).”

I think I kinda want one!

Too Faced Lash Injection Pinpoint Mascara

I don’t think I’m a mascara kind of girl. It always looks clumpy to me, particularly when applied how “they” recommend with multiple coats. I think it’s clumpy after one, much less several! I like the *idea* though. I like the idea of my lashes being darkened and lengthened. Particularly since my lashes are long enough but really light at the tips so you can’t actually tell. But any time I’ve worn mascara, there’s the clumpy look to deal with and then I always forget and rub my eyes so I end up smudgy or with mascara in my eyes or both. Bleah!

A while back I had a couple of formal occasions coming up so I decided to give some mascara another try. I’m a fan of Too Faced cosmetics in general so I acquired a tube of their Too Faced Lash Injection Pinpoint Mascara and hoped for the best. I figured it would be a good idea to give it a test run. So one evening when I didn’t have anywhere I had to be (which I figured would be good if this experiment didn’t turn out well), I curled my lashes and then applied my first coat. My first coat that ended up being my only coat because I almost immediately washed it off. It was kind of sticky and kind of gunky and definitely not the look I was going for.

But I was determined to not give up! The next time I tried, I applied it so lightly I almost couldn’t see it. This was good, since it eliminated the gunky, crusty look. Bad because it lessened the lengthening possibilities. In the end,  I decided that getting my lashes a little darker was the more important feature.

My verdict: If you like and wear mascara, by all means give this one a try. It seemed to be very mascara-y! It did lengthen and darken my lashes. But with a price.

(Too Faced Lash Injection Pinpoint Mascara review)

Holiday Gift Guide!

Looking for gifts for the product whore in your life? I’ve put together a list of fabulous items for you!

1. Lush:

Christmas Party Bath Bomb – I love this bomb! It’s orangey and lovely and full of stars and confetti. I admit I put mine in a stocking before dropping it in the bath. But I’m lazy and don’t like to clean stuff out of my tub.

Ma Bar Bubble Bar

And for a relaxing time *after* the bath, try a Soft Coeur Massage Bar!

2. Mason Pearson – Everyone should have one of these hair brushes.

You can buy them on Amazon!
Mason Pearson Hairbrushes

This is the one I have: Mason Pearson Junior Bristle & Nylon Brush – I’ve had it for 14 years and I LOVE it. I also have the pocket version.

3. Bunny slippers! – I previously wrote about my awesome bunny slippers.

This is where you can buy the slippers I have: BarefootParties.com

For a similar but less pricey version:
try this

or:
try this

4. For fans of Too Faced Cosmetics and Kipling bags:

Kipling Loves Too Faced cosmetic sets! Each comes with Too Faced cosmetics tucked in a Kipling bag!

From Kipling’s Site:

Primp & Party Set: Starry Eyed Liner, Lash Injection Pinpoint Mascara (which I sampled recently – look for an upcoming post about that!), Foiled Liner

Kiss & Run Set: Mood Swing Emotionally Activated Lip Gloss
Diamond Gloss

Envy Me Set: Lash Injection Mascara, Lip Injection Lip Plumper, Pink Leopard Bronzer, Refresh Blotter Papers

Charmed & Glamorous Set: Beauty Balm

From Too Faced:
Too Faced Loves Kipling Set: Lovey Dovey Duo Eye Shadow, Mini Ooh & Aah Starry Eyed Liner, Mini Black Lash Injection, and Mini Colorless Application Shadow Insurance

5. Hello Kitty!

Hello Kitty Toaster

Hello Kitty Necklace

Hello Kitty Waffle Maker

Hello Kitty Hair Dryer

Hello Kitty Computer Keyboard

6. Escada Moon Sparkle – This is one of the very few non Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab perfumes that I have ever liked. I *love* this. It’s sort of fruity, sort of floral. I am terrible at describing scents. But this one is lovely. I just keep sniffing myself and sniffing myself.

7. Flowering Tea with Teapot and Warmer – This is so pretty. I would love to have one of these. I have a lot of tea so I haven’t been able to justify buying it. One of these days!

Another fine tea place, Adagio Tea, has all sorts of great stuff. And you can get smaller sizes to sample or mix and match. Bonus!

So there you have it! What are you thinking about buying this year?