life, liberty and the pursuit of beauty

July 2010 August 2010 September 2010

I almost feel guilty for going maybe a little too over-board this weekend.. but.. nonetheless, I'm pleased to say that I'm happy with (almost) all of my purchases.

Without further ado, my first (recorded) haul:










1. Confessions of a Concealaholic by Benefit ($36.00)
I'm pretty impressed by this kit. The products are something you can easily work into your make up routine, using what you like. Here's a little review of all of the products:
. That Gal brightening face primer: I'm still not sold on facial primers, but I have used this product in the past, and out of all of the primers I've used before, I like it the best. It doesn't feel greasy once it's dried and it smells quite nice.
. Erase Paste brightening camouflage for eyes and face: Now, I've read mixed reviews on this is in the past, so I'd always skipped over it until I purchased this kit. I definitely believe that this isn't for everyone. This has is about as thick as a good body butter and about as creamy. So, if you already have more oil-prone skin, I'd skip this. But for someone with combination or dry skin, you should definitely give this a try. It blends very well doesn't get cakey or creased or any of that bad stuff. This will become a staple for me.
. Boi-ing industrial strength concealer: Now, I said Erase Paste wouldn't work for everyone. If you are one of those people, then you should consider trying Boi-ing instead. It has great coverage and great staying power. A little goes a long way with this (as with most Benefit products) and I guarantee you'll get your monies worth out of this baby.
. Eye Bright instant eye brightener: This is the one thing in the kit that has kind of let me down. It really doesn't do anything for me. I apply it like instructed by Benefit in the booklet provided by the kit, just in the corners of my eyes. If you have any suggestions for how I should use this, please let me know.
. Lemon Aid color correcting eyelid primer: This is perfect for concealing those sneaky little veins hiding under the thin skin of your eyelids. It is completely unnoticeable under eyeshadow.




2. Hoola by Benefit ($28.00)
Meet the life-saving Hoola. Say goodbye to shimmer and orange skin forever! I adore Benefit boxed powders because of their great value and beautiful colors, and Hoola is no exception. I needed a good bronzer than wouldn't leave me with chunky glitter all over my face, and this was the answer to my prayers. Just apply with a very, very light hand.


3. Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Puff Eye Roller ($11.99)
This product is decent. I don't recommend it to anyone just because the results are so minimal. The cool rollerball has the same effect as a cold spoon under your eyes, and I really don't believe the serum does anything. So, save your money gals.


4. Covergirl Lash Blast Fusion mascara in Very Black ($9.99)
I know, I know - I'm a little slow to hop on this band wagon. And, just like everyone else, I'm very impressed by this mascara. It lengthens just as well as any department store or high end mascara I've ever used, and it's pretty voluminous. I still use my DiorShow as the last layer of mascara just for the extra jolt of volume, but Lash Blast by itself does a fine job. And absolutely no clumping! Like I said, very impressed.




5. MAC Shadestick in Beige-ing ($16.50)
This is the perfect nude color for my skin. It's champagne-y but not too pink or gold. Just.. wonderful. I love the creamy texture and the application type. I apply it under my eyeshadow as a base and I basically makes my eyeshadow bomb proof. I went swimming last night and was so terrified to look in the mirror to see what became of my eyeshadow.. and it was still perfect. I may or may not have squealed. Swatch is below:

(Beige-ing is on top and also underneath both shadows)


With flash


Without flash


In all three pictures, Mulch is on the left and Woodwinked is on the right

6. MAC Woodwinked e/s ($14.50)
Yet again, a little late on this band wagon. This shadow instantly became a favorite when I put it on. I apply it on my lid up into the crease a little, shading with Mulch on the outer corner, simple and very flattering. This color would look great on any skin tone.

7. MAC Mulch e/s ($14.50)
As I said above, this is a beautiful color to use in the outer corner of your eyelid to shade. Can you have too many brown eye shadows? Can you?






8. e.l.f. Golden Bronzer ($3.00)
Three dollars people. Three. Dollars. This quad is definitely worth your money, a great introductory to highlighting and contouring. The pigment in these isn't great, but it's a lot better than anything I've picked up at a drugstore, and a lot cheaper. A run-down of the colors:
. 1: Shimmery light brown with a hint of copper. Let me just start off by saying that I do not like shimmer for daytime looks. But I like this for a night time bronze on your temples and forehead, ect.
. 2: I couldn't get this color to show up well on my hand, but the first picture is pretty accurate - a lighter pink color with a tinge of peach.
. 3: This is a very light champagne highlight color. I really like this and even used in for my day time look.
. 4: This is a darker brown with less of a copper tone in it. Perfect for the cheek bones.




9. Revlon nail polish in #85 Minted ($4.00)
I really, really wanted to like Minted. I did, I swear. The color is funky, yet acceptable. Even for the light color, two coats covered perfectly, and I love any cheap drugstore nail polish that is so obviously a dupe of more-expensive salon polish (Essie Mint Candy Apple, for this). But it chips. It chips horribly. Like, within four hours - chipping left and right and everywhere inbetween. I am heartbroken, Minted. Heartbroken.




10. Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in #370 Commander in Chic ($6.49)
Yet another obvious dupe of a more-expensive salon polish (OPI Metro Chic). But not only that, it covers well and it doesn't chip! Ahhh.
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