an inexpensive MUST have

I quite like the look of a defined winged eyeliner. This look is most easily achieved when using a gel/cream eyeliner and a brush, over a kohl or pencil liner. I have been using MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack and have been quite happy with it until I absent-mindedly left the lid off and it dried up a little. Boooo. It was nothing so terrible it had to be thrown away but it did change the consistency a little and and has been a bit finicky to use since. My friend Laura knew that I was soon in the market for a new liner as I had inquired after her using a drugstore product and how she liked it. She said it was a nice product but I decided that because of my MAC Pro discount it made sense for me to just stick with Blacktrack as it worked out to the same price as the drugstore counterpart anyway. UNTIL, until Laura told me that she had come upon a new drugstore line – Essence, and that they had a gel liner that not only got great reviews on my favorite makeup reference site Makeup Alley, but was an inexpensive alternative at only $3.50! I looked up the Essence gel liners and found a great YouTube video showing swatches and decided I wanted the color Midnight in Paris, a deep dark black. Laura had found the line at a local Shopper’s Drug Mart and said she would pick me one up when she went back to purchase some for herself (what a gal!)

Folks, you’ve got to get your hands on this stuff. I am over the moon about this product (I know, I get a little worked up about a good find). It is fantastic! This product is easy to apply, dark and pigmented, does not smudge, fade or flake and did I mention it’s $3.50?!! The only issue is Laura had to go to about 4 Shopper’s to find the Essence line and my friend Sarah who is now on the hunt for this stuff has been to about 3 and can’t find it either. I think Essence is new to Canada (as their website says “now in Shopper’s Drug Mart”) and my guess is not all stores are carrying it yet. I believe you can find the brand at Ulta in the States. It is absolutely worth the hunt.

I promise I'm happier about this liner than that - I forgot about the rest of my face - imagine a big toothy grin :oD

To compare Midnight in Paris to Blacktrack I would say Blacktrack is more of a paste, where this stuff is a true gel consistency. The packaging is similar, both in 3 mL round pots with screw top lids. The price point is where the biggest difference lies with Blacktrack setting you back $18 CA and Midnight in Paris coming in at $3.50. I don’t see myself using Blacktrack again, honestly, and not just because of the price difference. The Essence gel liner is deeper and a truer black than the fluidline and I genuinely find it easier to apply (and I am referring to my pre-leaving-the-lid-off incident.)

Essence Midnight in Paris on the left, MAC Blacktrack Fluidline on right

If you are a seasoned gel/cream eyeliner kind of gal I think you will be really impressed with this product and if you are a defined eyeliner beginner I think this is a great place to start – not only is this product inexpensive and not a great commitment to practice on, I truly feel it is easier to apply and work with than other cream liners I have used. I recommend this to anyone (everyone!) looking for a liner in this form.

Great work Laura.

drugstore scores part 2: Maybelline Color Tattoo 24 hr eyeshadow

The next drugstore product I picked up earlier this year was Maybelline Color Tattoo eyeshadow. I read many reviews of this product and was impressed they were being compared to MAC Paint Pots. I own a few paint pots and love their long lasting and non-creasing capabilities as well as the different color bases they provide for other shadows. I initially picked up the Bold Gold Color Tattoo and after using it a few times I went back and got Tough as Taupe and Bad to the Bronze. The other 7 shades in the collection are more bright and colorful (besides Too Cool which is a shimmery white) and I do not see myself using them at all.

 

Tough as Taupe is the only matte color in the collection. It is a concrete grey that looks beautiful on it’s own or worn under other shades. I’ve been wearing it under Verve from the Naked2 palette and I like the way it anchors the shimmery color. Bold Gold is a yellow gold that I personally only wear under other shadows. I don’t love the yellow tone on it’s own but when worn as a base it really pulls the gold out of other shadows. Bad to the Bronze is another one that I wear alone or as a base. I think it looks beautiful with MAC Satin Taupe over top.

L-R Tough as Taupe, Bold Gold and Bad to the Bronze, swatched heavily

Wearing Bold Gold with MAC Retrospeck and Gleam over top with Smut blended in the crease

Clearly I haven’t given the full 24 hr test on these eyeshadows but I can tell you that from the time I put them on until the time I wash them off they do. not. budge. In fact I was wearing Bad to the Bronze with MAC Satin Taupe over top when we went for a family swim. After being splashed and sprayed my entire face of makeup was washed off except my two little eyes with only Bad to Bronze still holding on for dear life. While washing the swatches for this post off the back of my hand with just water, I had to scrub to get the colors off. These shadows are quite remarkable and although in my opinion the color range leaves something to be desired, I’m confident you will be impressed with their high quality finish.

You can find these little gems at Wal Mart and other drug stores but like the Revlon Lip Butters, these are cheapest at Wal Mart. If you have been wanting to try a MAC Paint Pot but don’t want to spend the cash, for $6 a piece these are a fantastic alternative. I find them comparable in quality and in their ability to hold a shadow and last all day. I don't think I will purchase Too Cool and I have no need for any of the other shades in my collection but I am happy to have these 3 and reach for them fairly often. I recommend picking up a couple.

drugstore scores part 1: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter

It is the general consensus that drugstore cosmetics have really upped their game this year. With all the talk surrounding the release of a few hyped products I had to see for myself what all the buzz was about. I realize that in blogging land these products are old news but I purchased these items earlier this year so these are my reviews on them after a few months of use.

The first product I had to check out were the Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters. Being a lipstick/lipgloss/lipbalm/lip-anything girl I was anxious to see if these lipstick/lip balm hybrids were up my alley. Revlon promises 'buttery balm plus shiny color.' Sounds good to me! I didn’t want to go overboard and buy all 20 colors in the collection so I picked up the 2 I thought I would use the most – pinks. I grabbed Cupcake and Strawberry Shortcake.

L-R Cupcake, Strawberry Shortcake

 Cupcake is a light lavender/pink while Strawberry Shortcake is a brighter berry pink.

 Cupcake

 Strawberry Shortcake

I am totally impressed with these Lip Butters. Not only are they soft, smooth and non-drying on the lips, they are more pigmented than I was expecting. They have a beautiful shiny finish without looking glossy or sticky. I can see these being really appealing to a gal that doesn’t love the feel of lipstick but would like more color than a gloss provides. These lippies retail for $8 or $9 and can be found at Wal Mart, Shopper’s Drug Mart, Zellers, London Drugs and other drugstores. I would recommend purchasing them at Wal Mart as I learned the hard way they are more expensive other places. As much as I love them I am content with just these 2 for now. When I do purchase another Lip Butter it will be in the shade Peach Parfait as it looks like a nice nude that suits everyone.

Hard Candy Glamoflauge

I had been using MAC Pro Longwear concealer and absolutely loved it but when that pump pumped it’s last pump I was in need of something in a hurry. I knew it was getting low but hadn’t planned ahead and we don’t have a MAC in town to go and replace it. I had remembered Natalie from Miss Natty’s Beauty Diary say she had used Hard Candy Glamoflauge before and loved it (you can read her review here) and frankly if that gal told me rubbing peanut butter on my face was the next hot thing, I’d at least try it. I had to look at 2 different Wal Marts but I finally found a selection of these concealers. I don’t remember the exact price but this tube was around $7, much cheaper than $21 price tag of the Pro Longwear. I picked up the shade ‘light’ and it’s perfect for my skin tone.



The things I like most about this concealer are similar to the aspects I loved about the Pro Longwear. It is so blendable, almost to the point that no blending is even needed. It melts right into your foundation and some light tapping to smooth out the edges is all that is really required. This concealer is quite a bit thicker and more heavy than the Pro Longwear (the packaging says it can be used to cover tattoos. I don’t have any to test it on but I thought that was an impressive claim) and a little goes a long way. I have not had any creasing problems with this product as I have with other under-the-eye concealers, and it really covers. I have a small problem area on my chin right now and a little dab of this truly conceals any redness.



After using Glamoflauge for a couple months I don’t feel the need to go back to Pro Longwear. With the price of this concealer and it’s easier availability to me I am quite satisfied to say it is my new go-to. Once I learned that only a small amount was needed (the above dot would do for a week, no joke) I have been really happy with this product and think Hard Candy has done a great job with an inexpensive offering. I would highly recommend checking this out.

something big has happened

I didn't want to announce anything until I was absolutely sure and I think it's safe to say I am certain.

Hold on to your hats folks:

I've found a mascara that I like more than Loreal Voluminous. *gasp* It is hard to believe since I've been loyal to that product since I first started using mascara in junior high and I have recommended it to many a girlfriend. I still think it's a fantastic product but I've fallen in love with someone else. I've used up 2 tubes before I felt confident enough to make this announcement.

Maybelline Volum' Express THE TURBO

There are a few reasons why I like it better: in my opinion it is less gloopy and separates my lashes better. Which is not something I thought Voluminous lacked I just notice this does it better. I haven't struggled with chronic under eye smudging from Voluminous as lots of girls have but I can sympathize with them as it has happened on occasion. With this mascara that has never happened. Lastly the main reason I like this mascara more is because I find it less messy on my eyelids. I always had to do a Q-tip clean up from mascara smudges all over my eyelids which I just figured was part of mascara-ing but this mascara is far less messy and I often don't have to do a wipe up at all. Bonus!

If you're looking for a new mascara I'd recommend giving this one a chance, I was surprisingly impressed.  

beauty product must-haves

There are a few products I use that I just could not live without, or at least wouldn't want to live without. In my opinion these products are amazing and are an essential part of my routine. I thought I'd share them with you since they've brought me so much joy.

In no particular order....

MAC 224 Brush
This is a new addition to my brush collection and I. have. no. idea. how I lived without it. It is an amazing tool for blending out harsh lines and blending in general. I had been using my 217 for that job but pff, what a fool I was! This is a little bigger, much softer and fluffier and just does an amazing job, I can't say enough. I'm loving it!

Moroccan Oil
My friend Rachael first told me about this product and I have been using it ever since.You put it on while your hair is damp and it absorbs quickly, helping your hair dry faster and making it soft, smooth and shiny. I stopped using it last summer for a couple weeks and when I started again I fell in love with it all over again, I forgot how nice it made my hair feel. I switch up hair products often but this one remains constant. They have an original version and a light version for blondes - the product is exactly the same otherwise. It's a bit pricey but you only need a tiny pool each use and it lasts forever, plus it smells delicious.

Purple Shampoo
A must for every color treated blondie out there! When your hair starts to get a bit brassy looking you give it a wash with some purple shampoo and voila, all those cool ashy tones return and you've got bright blonde hair again. Don't use it too often or you'll definitely start looking a little grey. My mom taught me this trick when I was first highlighting my hair in junior high and I think it's a necessary part of upkeep. I'm using this brand now but think I'll find something different when this stuff runs out, it smells like an old lady. A nice old lady... but still.

Loreal Voluminous Mascara
What can I say? This is the best mascara out there. I have tried Clinique, Dior, MAC and many drugstore brands and I always come back to this (I know, why do I ever try anything else in the first place?) I have read many makeup gurus that swear by this product and I agree with them. It does start out a little gloppy, but give it a few uses and it will amaze you. Your lashes will be thicker, darker, longer and more amazing! I adore Voluminous.

Have you tried any of these products, can you agree with me? What are some of your must-haves?