Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone :)

Maybelline Rocket Volume Mascara Review

I used to buy a lot more Maybelline mascaras, but they don't seem to put a new one out as often as they used to.

I thought the brush was a little short, but it didn't effect the performance at all.  In fact, I liked it because sometimes the longer brushes put product where it's not supposed to be; this one gave a little more control.  

Here are my results:

My other eye, with 2 or 3 coats:

I'm impressed!!  I have to use a mascara for a while sometimes, until I reach a good conclusion on it (the Rimmel Scandaleyes Retro turned out better for me than I previously reviewed) and I've been using this a couple of weeks with good results every time.  I really liked it- not clumpy or flakey, and really boosted my lashes. I don't know about the brush being 'jet-glide' but it was such a wet formula that it really did glide on.

I'm taking a break for a few days.... I'm going to catch up on stuff and hopefully be back to wrap up all the things I have left for 2013.  Wishing everybody good health and Happy Thanksgiving!!

Cheapo Brushes That Actually Work!!

These are some synthetic brushes that I bought for a couple bucks on a whim... Strangely they're my most used foundation brushes!

I love that they are easier to clean, they don't shed, don't absorb too much product.... And application is easy and smooth. Usually I try to avoid over washing brushes but these have stood up through a lot of washes and when they do wear out, I wont hesitate to replace, and happy they won't cost me a bunch. I don't usually go the cheap route for brushes either but I promise, these are worth a try!!

Bourjois Happy Light Concealer Review

This is one of the Bourjois products I got recently.  This only comes in three shades- 21,22, and 23.  I got 22, Beige Rose... and I will state right away, I don't think it's a color match- at least it's not a concealer shade I would normally buy, as it is a bit darker than my skin. 

The texture is thick and a bit sticky...not creamy and smooth. This is actually helpful for this product; if it were creamier I would probably overapply and that would look cakey. I find the coverage to be one of the fullest I've used in a concealer... Not the easiest to blend either. That's why it was harder for me to use under the eyes, but it's perfect for little spots.

This is how it covers a (brown) freckle:

I think this shows, it really provides excellent coverage. Since its so thick, you don't need more than one layer either. It's like you barely dab it on, and you're covered.

I don't think I review a lot of concealers.... because I can never really capture how they work.  Here are the before and after photos, I tried my best. 

No Concealer

With Concealer

I think from these close up photos, either it doesn't look very good or you can't tell.  But from my viewpoint, it doesn't look "luminous" at all. I have used it on a blood vessel on my face, and it covers that totally... But then I have to put foundation over it to even it out. A great thing is, I just got the Happy Light foundation so I'm hoping it'll be good with it. But overall, this concealer is a really great choice for coverage.

Inglot Freedom Lipsticks Swatches

I've been meaning to post about these for a long time....I've got a lot of posts to do to wrap up 2013!!! I actually bought these before I bought the Sleek lip palettes. These are all really amazing.... Definitely bright though! The pigmentation is intense, and they all leave stains too. The two pinks have a little softer texture. I can't really say I can pull any of these off (bright and shiny!), but I haven't found anything to mix or layer them with either. They had yellow, green, and blue also, so I think I picked the most common shades. I've worn a couple of them at home, and they didnt seem to wear off easily.

These are clockwise, L-R: 96,97,99,98.

Maybelline Kiosks

Has anyone else spotted a Maybelline kiosk inside a mall?

Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipsticks: Pink Blush, Guest List

These lipsticks are decent, quite creamy and good coverage, but I felt like the Kate Moss range was a little longer lasting and better in pigmentation.  Pink Blush is a bit too Barbie for me (no tester!) but Guest List is a great everyday shade.

Bourjois Twist Up the Volume Mascara Review

I was looking forward to trying this for the longest time.  I'm happy to report it works well!

You twist the brush itself, so it goes in different shapes.  This is number 1: 

Twisted all the way to number 2, it squeezes, so it makes the brush shorter, thicker, bristles closer together and holds more product.  

And this is in between:

This is my result when using the brush all the way stretched out, number 1: 

I'm already impressed!  This is using it twisted to number 2: 

This is my left eye, "the bad one", where my lashes are sparser.  But the effect is very visible even from a distance. 

All the mascaras I've bought recently have felt too dry, but fortunately this one was not.  I felt like the formula was thick and really long lasting too.  I like this mascara a lot, and since it seems I'm doing well with them, I'd continue to buy from Bourjois.  

MAC Rihanna: Who's That Chick Lipstick

I went into MAC looking for "something different" so I was lucky to find the last one of these... I didn't think they had any around anymore and I didn't expect to like it as much as I do!  I never got it before because I didn't think any of the Rihanna lippies would look good on me. I do have Ruby Woo somewhere but haven't worn it in I can't even remember how long.  I think this looks fine on me, but I'm always open to feedback!

This one is probably the shortest-wearing MAC lipstick I have though.. I don't mind since reapplying is easy; the color doesn't bleed much or stain, and for me it's unique.  The coverage is great, and I love how much gold it has in it, that makes it more wearable for me than a true orange.  That being said, once it does fade, the orange is first to go, some shimmer stays longer.

I don't think I can live without the rose gold eyeliner coming up with the Rihanna Holiday collection!

Sephora and Drugstore Hauls!

I'm pretty happy about these purchases! I didn't plan on buying an eyeshadow palette, but it was less expensive than I thought, and it was really nicer than I expected, although I don't think this is the same one I swatched in the store- it's called 102 The Ingénue. The one I swatched was called "The Glam" but this one is still nice and I'm sure I'll use it a lot.  I tried the lip gels in the store and passed- I thought the texture was too soft and glossy for me, and I thought they were a bit expensive.

The other stuff I ordered online but it came today as well.  I am really excited to try this L'oreal  highlighter, and it is beautiful.... Although I didn't know its just an overlay so the main powdis a pressed powder.  The thing that irritates me.... its so expensive for a drugstore product, I really hate all the tape all over it. I've tried alcohol and nail polish remover but I can never get the tape residue off.... Anybody have any tips for that??

Love It: Zodiac Gift Trend

These, I'm totally loving... Zodiac themed gifts- everything from tees and bags, to these awesome pieces by Dior (top) and Estée Lauder compacts.

MAC Prep + Prime Lip Base

Since I've basically had to rebuild my lipstick collection, I've been looking for something to prevent them from bleeding. I swear I tried this before, but I couldn't find it anywhere around so I bought another one. For me, it does prevent feathering quite well but it doesn't extend the wear of any lipsticks at all, which is fine. I have to completely remove lipstick before I reapply this though, or it will ball up. Another bonus of this- it isn't drying at all, and it doesn't change the finish of the lipsticks (doesn't mattify). I don't have any normal chap stick anymore, but this has a similar feel- thick and not slippery. Makes me curious if chap stick works similarly, since this is fairly expensive.

Bourjois Shine Lipstick #24- Rose xoxo

I really like this product- however, I would call it a tinted lip balm. It looks, applies, and feels like a lip balm. It's very sheer, and I couldn't get it to last more than a few minutes at a time. That being said, I still like it, especially since I don't wear lipstick everyday this is a good alternative for me.

Essence Lashes Go Wild Mascara Review

I bought this because of the squishy tube- I never had a mascara like that. Maybe it's supposed to help get every bit of mascara out of the tube, I don't know. But it's an all-right mascara- no flaking or clumping.... Its not really exciting for volume or thickness though. I thought the brush was a bit long, and the other small issue I had was it did seem to wear off a bit sooner than others I've tried.