Covergirl Lip Perfection Lipstick Swatches Part 2

These are Delish, Heavenly, Rush, Darling, and Divine:

I never noticed it before but Heavenly and Darling are really similar:

Same Inglot, Different Day...

This may sound kind of petty, but I really wanted to give Inglot a piece of my mind.  I just didn't know how to do it without calling the employee out, so I went in person- I had to do it today before I left.  The last time I emailed Inglot I didn't get a response at all.  I really didn't want to have that one bad experience ruin the brand for me.

I am really glad I went in, and it was a totally, completely different experience, thankfully! 

The employee was immediately smiling, friendly, helpful, and really made my day.  It really made a huge difference and I think too many times it's easy to say negative, but I thought it would be great to email them with my positive experience which was unsolicited since I didn't even mention my previous visit .  The employee was very attentive and patient and made sure I had what I wanted.  I appreciate that!!

I did purchase a few things (one of them I was just told yesterday was out of stock) so I will make sure to update/review as soon as I can....

Art Deco Eyeshadow Base Review

Eye primers have to be one of the most debated products on the planet.  Some people love a certain one, others hate it.  My eyelids are what I would call "normal"- neither oily nor dry. 

I always wear eyeshadow primer unless it is to test a product.  I had always used Urban Decay in the past, and I still have plenty of tubes left, but I am almost out of the original one.  I bought Too Faced and it was all right, but I prefer the texture of Urban Decay.  Of course they don't have that here- if they do I have yet to find it at least.  I didn't set out to buy this in particular but picked it up with a few other things and here is my experience with it.  

The first thing you will notice is the smell.  Yeah, it pretty much reeks since it's not a subtle smell but it's easy to get over it.  I did not notice the smell transferring to my eye. 

One thing people were complaining about is the "unsanitary" pot.  So if you know it's in a pot and that's how you feel about pots, my suggestion is to skip this product.  Or you could be a little bit more reasonable and use a brush, that's what I do.  I am not trying to be rude but nobody's forcing anyone to stick their fingers in anything.  I honestly don't see how anything but a baby's finger could even fit in this small pot.  I use a brush for all my cream shadows so it makes no difference to me. 

Another thing is it does look a little shimmery, but it didn't make a slightest difference when I used non-matte shadows, and I had to look really closely even when using a dark matte on my eyelid.  I do often use primer on my actual brow area because I have to fill in over half of my brows, and where my brows are very sparse (read: non-existent) I did not feel comfortable using this because it did look a little too shiny.  But that is just my personal experience, it is an eyeshadow base, not a brow base. 

For the purpose of this review I used the following eyeshadows by WetnWild:

I could tell immediately that my eyeshadow looked better with the base.  I tried my very best to capture good, accurate photos but even if it is a bit difficult to see, I did see a big difference in person. 

After three hours, the non-primed lid started to fade a teeny bit, but after six hours it was easier to see the difference. 

I was quite pleased with the performance 6 hours in.  I have also used MAC paint pots as a base on occasion without that much success.  Speaking of which, this product does not have the same texture as a paint pot, it's much thinner and more moist. 

At 9 hours, the Art Deco based eye was about the same, the non-primed eye was showing more wear.  By 12 hours, I knew I was done. 

I've used this primer daily for about a week, and I think the results are very good.  I was looking for something more easily available, and the low price and good performance make it even better for me.  

Why Shopping Sucks

I love makeup, but after today I can safely say with 100% certainty, I hate shopping for it.  I always know for sure what I want to buy, I haven't went in any makeup place "just browsing" in years. 

I made it to Inglot and never been more offended/depressed/humiliated/appalled by a makeup store.  I can only remember one other incident that would even come close, and I solved that by restricting myself to online shopping, which of course, isn't an option for me now. 

I don't even blame the employee, in these tough times I am sure people just apply for any job.  But I can blame the employer.  When someone (a non-makeup wearing employee no less, not that it should matter, but it's still noticeable) swatches something for you in disgust, because "we don't have testers" then I feel as a consumer, it's time to walk away.  But when someone blatantly rolls their eyes when you ask a question, when someone expects your two year old to wait outside or tries to direct you to have them sit in a corner, then I feel as a mother, it's time to run cause that's a little inhumane.  No product is worth that!!!

I love my son and I love my dignity.  Inglot you really need to improve your screening processes!!

Inglot Visit in the Works....

Tomorrow I am going out of town, and I heard there was an Inglot store there (not like I am planning my trip around it haha). 

I just want to pick up a few things (not eyeshadows!) and here is what I have on my list so far...

1.  Freedom "EBP" (Eyes, Blush, Powder) Palette- I will have to pick a powder and blush to go in it. 

2.  Gel Eyeliner- I always wanted to get one but I never got around to it.  I loooove #83 but it is so bright, I am leaning towards #74, an eggplant-burgundy. 

3.  Cream Lip Paint in a Tube- looks really nice and creamy, and less messy than their pot lip paints. 

I can't decide on anything else now, but maybe a nail polish or a pigment! 

H & M Cosmetics

I have been curious about H & M cosmetics for a while, but never tried them out.  Honestly it's not a store I shop at.  I did venture in there a couple times before but wasn't very impressed.  It's always quite crowded as well. 

I don't know if they have more cosmetic selections at other stores (the store I went into was really big though- two floors!) but I was already in there, so I bought a few things. 

Here are swatches of the lip gloss and eyeshadow:

Honestly I was not impressed with anything.  The nail polish was a good deal and really cute, but I wouldn't go there just for that.  The eyeshadow basically wears right off, I definitely don't recommend unless you're looking for something fun, to use as some kind of face or body highlighter.  I think anything from there would be cute for a stocking stuffer or something similar, but if you're looking for something budget friendly there are much better quality performing products.  

Covergirl Lip Perfection Lipstick Swatches Part 1

These are L to R- Hot, Eternal, Soulmate, Spellbound, and Embrace: 

OPI Nail Envy??

I am wondering if there is a product (surely there must be!) that compares to OPI's Nail Envy.  I didn't realise how much I loved it (and needed it!) until now, when I don't have it anymore.  For me it worked great as a strengthener, filler, and base coat.  I've since tried only Sally Hansen and one from Boots, and neither one comes close although the Boots one is a good smoother. 

I did get a Sally Hansen "Triple Strong" product but I haven't used it yet, waiting to take my polish off.  It cost me more than Nail Envy ever did, not like that is an indication of anything really.  But it says "gel nail fortifier" and it doesn't look or feel gelatinous at all, so I just have to wait and see. 

Oh Nail Envy where are you???  Or have I just not found a good replacement yet? 

Covergirl Queen Collection Lipstick Swatches

I decided to swatch all my Covergirl Lip Perfection lipsticks.  These are the ones I have from the Queen Collection.

L to R:  Penelope Pink, au Naturale, Berry Bling, Ruby Slipper, Fine Wine

Interested? Dior Addict Extreme Lipstick

The other day I was looking for something new to buy.  I came across a display of Dior's new "Addict Extreme" lipsticks.  They have 12 shades out. 

Based on the advertising pics, I think if I were to get one, I'd get "Plaza". 

Don't get me wrong, I like Dior lipsticks for the most part.  (Their glittery ones can pretty much go somewhere for all I care lol).  But I was just so un-impressed by these.  They were pretty, and felt smooth and rich, so I am not sure the reason but I wasn't inclined to purchase.  Usually I'll ask a mundane question about price or colour to feign interest, but I simply walked away.  I do like the cannage styled case of the Rouge lipsticks better, these are just plain black.   They do look moisturizing and smooth.  I always liked their Black Tie colour, it's like Clinique's "Black Honey" where it looks atrocious in the tube but a really pretty berry hue on the lips. 

I guess it's hard sometimes to justify a "splurge" when you don't even really want it, especially when you know that these are not the most prosperous of times.  

I did find something that really caught my eye though.... an artist created this Dior couture paper doll, a couple years ago so I'm a bit late coming across it but wow is it a beautiful creation! 

Then I saw these vintage ones...

Ohhh man I cannot wait for that movie!  

Maybelline Color Tattoo Cream Eyeshadow Swatches

These are swatches of the eyeshadows I got, from L to R:

#40 Permanent Taupe, #55 Immortal Charcoal, #60 Timeless Black

Immortal Charcoal is a lot more shimmery than the photo for some reason, I am wearing it alone today and it's really pretty. 

I did go to Maybelline's website (in a few locations) and no, they did not have Timeless Black on the US site.  But I did find this "Mega Plush" mascara coming out soon that looks interesting:

Finally- a Makeup Haul!!

I am sooo excited to try all of these products!!!  They are all new for me so I am looking forward to it very much! 

 

First I got Art Deco, an eyeshadow/highlighter palette and an eyeshadow base.  To be honest, I have not used this brand since I was a teenager, so I really don't know what to expect from it.  I wasn't leaving the store empty handed though, and the package was a good deal.  There are two eyeshadows and a highlighter, which can be used either for eyes or elsewhere. 

I got three Maybelline tattoo eyeshadows- #40 Permanent Taupe, #55 Immortal Charcoal, and #60 Timeless Black.  I for sure have to check their US website because I know the names are different and I don't remember seeing a black on there.  The store had a few other colours, but not the pomegranate and orange ones I was wanting.  I've used the other two I got but honestly, they're a bit boring although I admit the formula is great.  I will be sure to post swatches of these three soon. 

Next I got a brand I never tried before, Bourjois.  It is a new type of nail polish, it says "Gel Texture" so that's something new to try out. 

The last thing is a yellow nail polish.  The brand is Nailstation and the colour is "Zest de Citron".  Ohh it is beautiful.  Somehow I lost the only other yellow nail polish I own so I was looking to replace it, but of course it was limited edition.  This brand looks really great, and I am actually drooling over a few browns on their website, www.nailstation.com.  A lady ahead of me was buying 8 bottles of this brand so I asked her if it was good, but she hadn't tried it yet either.  For me, I'll stick to buying one bottle to try it out.   

Two Cool Polishes

I like the colours a lot, but I love the names!  I got Sally Hansen "Emerald City" and "Himalayan Blue". 

Visiting Portland!

I am still in the planning stages, but I am going to visit Portland sometime soon.  It looks really interesting and nice.  I want to move there, but I've heard a lot of negative vibes about locals not liking foreigners, even from different cities, so I want to check it out first.  Anybody who has any experience with Portland (or even nearby) please do share, and wish me luck!

OMG!! Finally- Maybelline Eyeshadows!!

Wow I just cannot believe my luck!!! I also got scammed out of the Maybelline 24 hour eyeshadows but I totally scored two of them today! They just rolled off the truck so they should be coming to all the Maybelline stands very soon. They only had two colours for sale, "On and On Bronze" (aka Bad to the Bronze) and Bold Gold.  These were the only ones, although they did have the purple and turquoise testers as well. I can't wait for more, especially the reddish and taupe ones!  I am absolutely excited about these!

Since I just got these I haven't had a chance to wear them on my eyes, but the swatches haven't budged in hours, despite vigorous hand washings, and based on all the positive things I've heard I am sure they will be worth the wait!  

My New Favourite Lip Balm!

Since I got scammed out of getting any more eos lip balm (I guess it happens to everyone, but it still sucks!), I went to the store to see what the options were. Not much, but I picked up a few. I actually tried this one last since I wasn't expecting much from it. I love it! It is Hawaiian Tropic, it is very moisturizing, softening, and it even has SPF. I do not go anywhere without lip balm, and I've tried other petroleum type balms and I personally do not like them.

I first got this one in Vanilla Mint and loved it, so when I went back to get more theyonly had Tropical, which I like very much also. It has a hint of that unmistakeable Hawaiian Tropic scent. These lip balms are very budget friendly and would be great to put in your beach bag!

My Favourite Neutrogena Product

These wipes were the first product I ever bought from Neutrogena and I still love them.  I had tried every remover Sephora had available and nothing really worked for me so I picked these up at Target one day and they've been my fave ever since.  They don't burn, they're not greasy, and they remove eyeliner and mascara- win for me!  They had some lavender ones in America I really liked, and they had a plastic tub too but I'm happy to still have the wipes available.  I've tried a few other Neutrogena products since and I've found them to be pretty nice for me at least, especially the skin stuff.  It's not high end but it works in a pinch, and I like that they are unscented, light, and oil free, at least what I have tried was. 

LOTD: Blue Ice

I was so happy to finally find my "outer v" brush, what a difference it makes!  And no matter what anyone else says, I still think you can do blue eyeshadow with blue eyes. 

I added some Laguna bronzer, since I thought I was looking a bit pale, although the lighting is weird too. 

Interesting- Diorskin Nude Tan Powders

I love Dior's powders- silky smooth and radiant, I think they are one of their best products.  They have a new "colour and glow" bronzing powder out now that looks beautiful.  It comes in four shades and that's quite a range for a bronzer in my opinion.  They also have a similar compact for highlighting.  I've been looking (and feeling) a little pasty lately so I am going to get this one for sure!

Archived Look

This is one I never got around to posting, taken about 6 months back.  It needs a little improvement but the first thing I noticed is it doesn't even look like me!!