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Saturday, December 21, 2013

L'Oreal - Color Riche Eyeshadow Quad: Good Luck Charm

L'Orealparis.com's description: "Discover three statement collections to inspire endless must-have looks. Colour Riche Eye Shadow offers expertly coordinated compacts with shades to be worn alone for simple looks or all together for complex looks.

Impact guaranteed with these crease-resistant compacts that last all day."



Does it live up to its claims?

"Crease-resistant, lasts all day"
They are crease-resistant, yes; but I do not feel that they last all day. They seemed to fade a little bit even when used with a primer.
 
 


My thoughts:
 
I do not feel that this particular quad from the line is worth buying. The colors are not particularly pigmented except for the cream shade. The pans seem to move around a little bit when I would put my brush in it, which I don't feel like I should have to deal with for paying almost $8. I have never tried any of the other quads or any other eyeshadows except the Infallible's. The colors do look super pretty in the pan, indeed! But they did not live up to my expectations, unfortunately.

 

Rating: 

Packaging - 3/5
Longevity - 4/5
Pigmentation - 3.5/5
Application - 3.5/5
Price - 3.5/5
 
 
 
L'Oreal Color Riche Quad - Good Luck Charm




L: Base shade - with primer, without primer
R: Lid shade - with primer, without primer
 
 
 
L: Crease shade - with primer, without primer
R: Liner shade - with primer, without primer
 
 
L'Oreal Color Riche Quad - Good Luck Charm
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Where to buy:


Walmart, Target, Ulta, Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid....
 
 
 
 
 
xoxo Brandi

Thursday, December 19, 2013

Maybelline - Expert Wear Eyeshadow Quad: Natural Smokes

Maybelline.com's description:

"Four coordinating shades with step by step application guide makes shadow easier than ever.
All-day crease-proof wear. Glides on effortlessly with superior smoothness. Velvet-tip applicator blends without tugging or pulling. Ophthalmologist-tested. Safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers."


Does it live up to its claims?

"Application guide makes shadow easier than ever"
Yes, I would say that it makes it a lot easier for a beginner to learn wear to put certain shades into creating a wearable look.


"All-day crease-proof wear"

I, personally, have never had a problem with any powder eyeshadow creasing on me. These didn't really seem to fade, though.


"Glides on effortlessly with superior smoothness"

The two shimmery shades in the quad are a little flaky, and sometimes has a chunky texture that seems to ball up a little bit in the pan. It's quite odd, I must say, but I have seen with some other shadows that have that ALMOST glitter texture.


"Blends without tugging or pulling"

I don't typically use a sponge tip applicator for blending, more for packing on color to the lid.


"Safe for sensitive eyes"

I have very sensitive eyes that will sometimes puff up very bad if something gets in them, and these did not irritate my eyes.



Rating: 

Packaging - 5/5
Longevity - 5/5
Pigmentation - 4/5
Application - 3.5/5
Price - 4/5

Maybelline Expert Wear Quad - Natural Smokes



L: Base shade - with primer, without primer
R: Lid shade - with primer, without primer

L: Crease shade - with primer, without primer
R: Liner shade - with primer, without primer

Maybelline Expert Wear Quad - Natural Smokes


Maybelline Expert Wear Quad - Natural Smokes







Where to buy:


Walmart, Target, Ulta, Walgreens, CVS, Rite Aid....



xoxo, Brandi

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Rimmel Stay Matte Mousse Foundation - Review

Us.rimmellondon.com's description:

"A feather light, oil free formula with an airy mousse texture that won’t feel heavy or greasy. Delivers all day shine control and blends flawlessly for a natural looking matte finish. Minimizes the appearance of pores. The weight is over – finally, shine has met its matte."


Does it live up to the claims?

"Feather light"
Yes, when its on your skin it doesn't feel heavy or greasy at all!

"All day shine control"
If you're really oily like me, then pretty much no foundation is going to do this, at least not on its own. I'd definitely pair it with the Stay Matte powder. But it did keep me matte for at least 5 hours which is pretty good for someone who has as oily skin as I do.

"Blends flawlessly"
I'd say it blends just as well as any other foundation, but what I like about it is that it doesn't dry too quickly, and it has a thicker consistency so you can build it up.

"Natural looking matte finish"
I would definitely agree with that. When I put it on, its not shiny at all and it looks a lot like my own skin.

"Minimizes the appearance of pores"
I didn't really see any of that happening, unfortunately.


Rating: Packaging - 5/5
Longevity - 5/5
Pigmentation - 5/5
Application - 5/5
Price - ???




Where you can get it when it becomes available in January 2014:
http://us.rimmellondon.com/products/face/stay-matte-liquid-mousse-foundation


As mentioned, this product is not available in stores yet, and I received this from Influenster & Rimmel for review without compensation. I'm not sure what the price will be, but Rimmel foundations/BB creams are all under $10 in my area.

xoxo
Brandi

Saturday, October 26, 2013

Nina Ultra Pro - Nail Enamel: Cobalt

Sallybeauty.com's description:

"
  • Professional salon formula
  • Long-wearing & Toulene free
  • Chip resistant with fiberglass hardeners

  • Ultra Pro Nail Lacquer offers the hottest shades of professional salon-formula, long-wearing, chip-resistant, fast drying, high gloss nail enamel to complement any mood. From radiant neons to classy reds, from glitzy glitter to frosted elegance.
     NEW and Improved Brush!!!"


    My thoughts:

    I really love this color of nail polish. It definitely reminds me of Pacific Blue from Sally Hansen. I wish this were just a LITTLE BIT more opaque. The only problem I have with it is that you can kindof see the line where the white part on your nail starts if you look closely. This nail polish also has a slightly weird smell, kindof like rotten eggs. But you can only smell it when you're like purposely smelling your nails LOL. I really do like the brush also! Its nice and big and flat. This polish lasted like most dark nail polishes on my nails. Even though I used the Fingerpaints basecoat and Revlon Gel top coat, it lasted on my nails for about 2 full days without ANY chips.


    Rating: Packaging - 5/5
    Longevity - 4/5
    Pigmentation - 4/5
    Application - 5/5
    Price - 4.5/5


    Swatches:


























    Where to buy:

    Sally's - http://www.sallybeauty.com/nail-polish/SBS-709221,default,pd.html

    xoxo,
    Brandi

    Monday, September 23, 2013

    Haul First Impressions/Swatches: Hard Candy, Maybelline, PF, & Covergirl

    Maybelline - Define-A-Brow: Dark Blonde


    without flash

    with flash






    So I used a little of my old brow pencil
    (Rimmel in Sable) just in the arch to kindof
    fade it out.








































    **I really like this pencil so far. It seems to be a nice color and have a pretty smoothe texture. I like that it is retractable too! BUT mine isn't seeming to go back down. So, I'm not sure if its just mine... or....? Let me know if your's does that too!






    Physician's Formula - Shimmer Strips: Vegas Strip / Light Bronzer



    with flash

    without flash

    L to R: Bottom, all mixed together, top
    without flash

    L to R: Bottom, all mixed together, top
    with flash




























































































    **I really like this product, too! I HIGHLY doubt that I'll be using it as a bronzer or blush as the back suggests. It says you can also use it as an eyeshadow which I can see myself doing. But I think I'll be using it for a cheek highlight the majority of the time, though. Its just so pretty! Has a really smoothe texture, too. I applied it with the Real Techniques Blush Brush so I didn't get it too packed on, I wanted it to be pretty subtle. :)





    Covergirl - Cheekers: Rock 'n Rose

    without flash

    with flash


    
    I compared it to another of my favorite blushes
    (Nyx in Peach) so you can see that its
    a medium to darker type of shade.
     
    TOP - SHEERED OUT
    BOTTOM - LAYERED APPLICATION
     





















     **This product is a little iffy to me. I LOVE the color, don't get me wrong! But the formula is so weird. When you swatch it on your finger its kindof pigmented, but then when you transfer it to swatch on your hand its so sheer! BUT then when you use a brush you have to be REALLY careful not to get too much otherwise it looks like you have a rash on your face or rosacea or something! But I guess I learned that the hard way and had to wipe it out and reapply foundation and then do the blush REALLY lightly LOL. Oh well, it was cheap and I like the color, so I'll live with it. :)





    Hard Candy - All Lid Up: Fancy Pants

     


    without flash
     

     
     




    L to R
    Top: L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Iced Latte,
    Maybelline Color Tattoo Pressed Pigments Eyeshadow in Barely Brazen

    Bottom: Hard Candy All Lid Up Cream Eyeshadow in Fancy Pants,
    Maybelline Color Tattoo Cream Eyeshadow in Barely Beige

    with flash







    L to R
    Hard Candy All Lid Up Cream Eyeshadow in Fancy Pants
    Maybelline Color Tattoo Cream Eyeshadow in Barely Beige
    L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Iced Latte,
    Maybelline Color Tattoo Pressed Pigments Eyeshadow in Barely Brazen,
     ,
     
     
     

    Applied to eye without a primer





















    **I like this product. IF YOU DON'T LIKE SPARKLE then will NOT like this shade! I'm not sure if the other shades in this line are as sparkley as this, so you'll have to look. I pretty much just saw this shade, grabbed it, and left. I didn't really take time to look at the other colors LOL. I do absolutely love the formula and texture of this, though. Its so creamy and long lasting just like the Maybelline Color Tattoos! I also really like the packaging. It reminds me of the L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows, in that it isn't heavy glass, and it has a lid inside to keep the product from drying out. LOVE THIS! Have to check out the other colors! :)




    Maybelline - Eyestudio Quad: Fall Temptation (Limited Edition)

     
     


     
     


     
     


    Hard Candy All Lid Up Cream Eyeshadow in Fancy Pants (LID)
    1st shade in quad (BROWBONE HIGHLIGHT)
    2nd shade in quad (INNER CORNER)
    3rd shade in quad (CREASE & MIDDLE LOWER LASHLINE)
    4th shade in quad (OUTER "V" & OUTER LOWER LASHLINE)

































    **I LOVE THESE FREAKIN' QUADS!! They're sooooo buttery and pigmented that you barely even have to dip your brush in! Which means you aren't using a ton of product, so I guess that compensates for the slightly smaller than normal pan sizes! Can't say anything bad about these except that they need to come out with MORE MORE MORE!! :)






     Maybelline - Master Smoky: Provence Plum (Product only says NEW, not LIMITED EDITION, so I'm not 100% sure.)

     


    with flash - rolled up all the way
     
     

    Left - Smudged with finger NOT SPONGE
    Right - Straight swatch

    without flash
     
     
    Left - Smudged with finger NOT SPONGE
    Right - Straight swatch

    with flash
     
     

    Just used on the upper lash line as a regular eyeliner















    **I definitely like this product, but I think it's marketed oddly. It says you're supposed to use the little smudger sponge to smudge it out and make it look "smoky". Well, if you use that, it completely takes away the product and rubs it off. So I would just let it set for a few seconds and just use your finger. The heat from your finger will help with blending it out and isn't so harsh as a sponge, giving you a smoother smudge... LOL I hope that's not too confusing! But I really do love this color, but since the tip is a little too big to apply a thinner line on the upper lash line, I had to use a smaller brush. I used the Sigma Eyeliner E11. They probably have a really similar color from their Master Drama line which I didn't even think to check, but I liked applying it with the brush because I could get it more precise anyways! :)




    Hard Candy - Glossaholic Lip Gloss: Creamsicle

     
     


    without flash
     
     
     

    with flash















    **As I mentioned in the video, I already have THREE other colors from this line. I looooooove this lipgloss formula! It lasts for HOURSSSS!!! It really is amazing and all the colors are so pretty. But they don't really have any that AREN'T sparkely/glittery/duochromey LOL. But the glitters in it aren't gritty or chunky at all so it doesn't feel like you have sand on your lips! Which is always a nice thing! These are my favorite lipglosses IN. THE. WORLD. :)












    So here's the finished look! Almost did a full face with all these products! Just left out foundation, concealer, and mascara! But I'm EXTREMELY happy to say that I love EVERYTHING!

    Also, as I mentioned in my haul video, I WILL be doing a review of the Anti-Itch Plus stuff I bought for my lips (but I have to say that right now it's working pretty well! shhhh!)

    I will also be doing a review on the Ion Repair Solutions Effective Care Treatment! I'm going to be doing that after I bleach my hair, so we'll REALLY get to see if its magic or not!

    I'm also going to do another mani post on the Revlon nail polish I mentioned in the haul!

    AAAAAAAAAND I'm going to be doing some more FOTD's with that Kat Von D palette! (Is it sad that I've had it for like a couple of weeks and haven't gotten around to using it on my eyes yet?!)

    ARE YOU EXCITED?! Because I AM!!!

    I love you all sooooooooo much <3

    xoxo Brandi












    Friday, September 20, 2013

    FOTD #1: Bright Fall Eyes






     


     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Eyes:
    Eyeshadows shown above
    Maybelline Gel Liner in Blackest Black
    L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara
     
    Face:
    Nyx Photoloving Primer in Clear
    Becca Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfecter
    ELF All Over Color Stick in Apricot Beige
    Revlon Colorstay Foundation in Ivory
    Hard Candy Glamoflauge Concealer in Ultra Light
    Hard Candy Lite Bright Whipped Brightening Concealer in Light
    Tarte Cheek Stain in Sunkissed
    Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Natural
    Too Faced Bronzed & Poreless Pore Perfecting Bronzer
    Nyx Powder Blush in Peach
    Maybelline Eyestudio Single Eyeshadow in Vanilla (Used as highlight)
     
    Lips:
    ELF Luscious Liquid Lipstick in Nude Pink