Small Bourjois Haul

It was the nail polish that got me.... really!  I walked by it one night but the place was so crowded I couldn't even ask for it.  I didn't want to get it, I thought man I am leaving, plus that super tall bottle annoys me.  But then I thought, hey, I am leaving and I don't think they have this brand back home.... so I went in the next morning and there were just two bottles left.  Then they were running a promotion, and well, I guess you can see what happened lol...

I didn't do too bad- two eyeshadows, a brush, a blush, lipliner, and- yay!- Turquoise Block!  

Models Own Cream Eyeshadow: Gold Pearl

I bought this not knowing it was a cream shadow. It's funny because the sales lady was talking it up for a full five minutes at least, but at no time did she say it was a cream shadow. I (idiot) didn't think to ask.

I had some hope after I swatched it.

But my hope, along with this eyeshadow, quickly faded.  I tried everything- using it as a base, over a primer and a shadow, on multiple days, everything- I just could not get it to last.  I was so disappointed, since it is such a pretty shade, and it went on smooth and felt a bit more creamy, not so greasy like others I've tried, but it didn't hold up.  After 4 hours, even with a primer, it was creasy and patchy.  It even seemed to ruin my eyeliner which doesn't budge any other day.  

After 8 hours, barely a trace was left.  Oh well, it's a crappy product, I'm disappointed but really I think the brand is more well known for their polishes (which I honestly don't like too much so I should have avoided the whole stand to begin with) but it's a lesson learned.  I was really hoping it would stay though! 

Stunning Barbie!

I mean this literally, this Doll is amazing!

Rimmel Scandaleyes Flex Mascara

After I tried "show off", I went back to see if there was anything else I could try. I still haven't seen "Sexy curves", I think it must be discontinued. I really hesitate buying mascaras online, I'm always worried about them being dried out even when I buy in the store.

This one is a flexible formula.

Results:

I liked it ok, and it did what it said it would: coat my lashes but leave them flexible, not stiff or crunchy. I also liked how easy it was to remove. But I felt like it didn't wow me, so I tried it over others.

This is layered over Essence 24hour mascara:

I liked it better layered, because it is lighter and softer than two layers of other mascaras. I liked using the big brush more over the base mascara since I didn't need to coat every lash.

Want to Try: W-n-W Shadow Sticks

I would like to try some kind of shadow stick, I saw these from Wet n Wild. But man, 2009? I didn't even know about the brand back then, lol! I wonder if they are really that old? Has anyone tried them?

Ohhh.... on second thought, I think I do remember things like these... Jumbo pencils, etc. aka crease sticks.  I remember I tried a few of Nars, they must have changed them since then though!  

Bourjois 'Synthetic Shirt' Deodorant

I was looking for deodorant and spotted this.... it's kind of hard to miss this gigantic can!

Really, it's probably a foot tall... that's not very practical.  It reminds me of a big can of Aqua Net that my grandma used to have.  Anyway....

I wear those clingy synthetic tops a lot, but sometimes it will just be a couple of hours before I get uncomfortable.  This doesn't smell like any deodorant I've ever tried, it's got a really weird scent, I can't place it but I didn't buy it for the scent.  Does it work???  Surprisingly and amazingly... yes!!  I was able to be dry for 7-8 hours depending on other conditions, but definitely works better than ordinary deos.  It's aerosol, doesn't leave a residue, and it works.... I don't use it for looser shirts just because I don't care that much for the smell, but I do use it for the synthetic ones and I'm pleased with it.

Toss Time

Most of these things have been with me for quite a while.

Maybelline Mousse foundation- this is the last foundation I have, now had! I already tossed my Nars and Dior foundations, I don't know why I was keeping that around so long.

China Glaze Party Hearty- its a Christmas glitter polish so I only used it once or twice, I was really surprised to open it and discover only rock hard glitter bits around the bottle edges.

Revlon Raspberry Pie lip butter
Covergirl Divine lipstick- I just can't see myself wearing purple lipstick anymore.
Maybelline purple eyeliner- it was a toss up between this and Rimmel purple, but this one lost cause of the irritating glitter.
Philosophy creme brûlée lip gloss- man that was old, but I used to like it a lot.
Sleek Cloud pout paint- tube got separated and oily, I like the other shades I have alone anyway.
Catrice bronze eyeliner- honestly I wear black 99% of the time, so it'd dry out before I use it.
UD face primer- just don't need it, probably only used it 4-5 times.

Spotted: "W" plates

I don't think the images are all that special but I like the shape of the plate!

L'Oreal Revitalift BB Cream

I don't know why, but I just seem compelled to try anything that says "BB Cream" so please forgive me!!

I really like the pump, and the container is huge.  

Nothing on face 

L'Oreal BB Cream

It does make a difference, especially around my nose and cheeks, but I had to blend it forever.  The texture is really thick, one of the thickest I've tried.  

I felt like after so much blending, the coverage was really too sheer. Unfortunately, this was also too dark for me so as usual it ended up looking orange, but I really liked the natural, smooth appearance. So as long as you expect light coverage, and can tolerate the horribly heavy sunscreen smell, it's nice. I'm trying to be positive here if that isn't obvious, but honestly I wouldn't buy this again.

Lush 'Catastrophe Cosmetic' Face Mask

This is a very blueberry face mask that I've been using it for a couple weeks now.

I got this on the advice of the Lush employee.  I've been using it just to see if it gets better, but for me, it didn't.  It itches my face awful, almost to the point of burning.  I can just stand it enough that it dries and I wash it.  After rinsing, my face feels like a dusty chalkboard.  It doesn't make my skin flaky but still, it's not a nice feeling for someone who already has dry skin.  But I will say this- it is supposed to calm your skin, and that it does.  I sometimes have 'bumps' that feel like they're forming but they never fully do, so it's just red spots.  This totally makes them go away, so it's  worth it just for that.  

I Love This!

Chocolate for Face and Body

I haven't used too many chocolate scented things in the past.  I got these browsing the supermarket- I'm kinda stuck here with not much to do.

It says chocolate and orange, although it doesn't smell like either.  It sure looks like melted chocolate though: 

For a face mask, it's ok. It didn't make my face feel extra clean or smooth though.  It does have a bit of a cooling sensation as it hardens.  

This is a chocolate body scrub: 

It says it has "fine peeling beads" in it.  They are so fine, it feels almost like a normal body wash.  

It's just ok too- the scent is really subtle and it isn't really exfoliating, but it doesn't lather like a body wash.  I enjoyed trying both of these chocolate scented products, fun to try something new once in a while. 

New Sleek Launch: Candy Collection

These look really great! I love the blush and pout paint especially...I think I have enough of their eyeshadows to last a while.

Max Factor 2000 Calorie Dramatic Volume Mascara

This product has been around for years, but I didn't really know what to expect from it. I haven't found the brand at all appealing, and I don't think it's found everywhere anyway.

It promises "300% more volume".... I was skeptical.  

Here are my results: 

I felt like it really gave me length and volume.  It didn't flake, clump, or smudge, but I felt like it was really light/thin.  I don't know why, but I like a really heavy mascara now, and I didn't before.  Some of my lashes were sticking together (I really need to find my lash comb!!) I think it's a decent performing mascara though; I didn't see any problems with it.  

New Bundle Monster Organizer Colors

They just came out with two new colors for the plate organizer.... I went with the pink one...... So cute!

Skin Food Red Bean BB Cream

I bought this in the lightest shade, 01.

It looks light, but it's more "bright".  

Here are some photos wearing it: 

I really like it.  It does brighten my skin tone, and it looks seamless on.  I don't like it when I have to blend soooo much on my jawline so it doesn't look weird, but this one blends in very well.  I did find coverage to be about on average with the other creams I've tried, which is good.  Brands like Maybelline, L'Oreal, Rimmel, etc., I'm sorry but their BB Creams aren't so great for me since they are so lightweight and tend to run darker than these types.  

I didn't notice any scent to this, and it was really absorbed quickly and long lasting.  I usually buy samples first, but this one didn't have any samples, so it was a bit more expensive for a big size but totally worth it, this is one of my faves so far.  Not that I don't have another dozen to try.... lol!!  

Sally Hansen Red Rebel- Neon Polish

Ok, be prepared to laugh.... but I was having some "trial" nails to see what I wanted to do for a solution.  Well, I decided to work with my own for the time being, although I am getting frustrated.

But Sally Hansen had a line of neon polishes, I was tempted by a few but ultimately only got one, "Red Rebel" which is really dark orange, especially in the light.  It dried matte but I liked it on my real nails with a top coat (I actually alternated), it was glossy that way.

So here goes....

Nail Mail!

I am sooooo excited to have these! I just cant decide which ones to use first!

Brow Product Swatches, Comparisons

I thought it might be helpful if I posted some of the brow products I've used.  I have used eyeshadows set with wax or gel, but I had to reapply so many times I got tired of it.  I don't have enough natural brows to not fill them in, and I need something totally waterproof and long lasting.  This is why I prefer the MUFE Aqua Brow, but it sets almost instantly, so I find the MAC fluidline best for me.

Here are some swatches of MUFE and Urban Decay:

Before I got MUFE and MAC, I was using Inglot powders.  I got sooo many backups, but I seriously doubt I will ever use them for my brows again.  They are still really nice eyeshadow colours.

Finally, swatches of MUFE 15 next to MAC Dirty Blonde fluidline.  I swear I can't tell the difference, but I definitely prefer MAC's formula.  

I still think MUFE #10 is a perfect match for my natural brow colour, but since I like the MAC formula more, I wear it more.  Forgive the bad photo but I took like 50 pictures yesterday and not a single one turned out decent, I swear!!!  

My hair is pulled back but this is the best I could get of my hair and brow colour, this is using MAC.  Yes I hate my forehead!!! 

Essence Stays No Matter What 24 hour Mascara

I cannot under any circumstance sleep in mascara.  I wake up with eyes all crusted and itchy, no way.   And I'm not in any position to stay up for 24 hours straight.  My point is, I just tested this mascara under normal conditions, the course of a day; about 13 hours.

I didn't know what to expect from it, the brush seemed pretty basic.  This one was a teeny bit drier than the other Essence mascaras I've tried.  

Here are my results: 

The brush was small enough to reach pretty much all my lashes, which I liked.  It says "24hour volume" mascara, but I thought it lengthened well also.  Here is a different angle: 

The best part is that it holds my lashes this way all day. With most others, my lashes tend to fall and lose the nice shape during the day, as it wears. Not this one- they stay "stiff" but still dont feel crunchy at all.

Overall, I really, really like this mascara.  Besides what I've mentioned, it dried quickly, it's really black, and it stayed put without any issues.  It's great for my lower lashes too because of that, so I really can use it alone.  But I've been using it as a base mascara under others, and it's nice that way as well.