A Do and a Don't: E.L.F. Mini Haul and Review

A few weeks ago, E.L.F. had a 40% off sale online. There were a couple of items that I'd been eyeing, but hadn't quite built up the courage to try out, so this seemed high time to bite the bullet and order. I picked up, among other things, the Prism Eyeshadow Palette in Sunset and the new 22-Piece Mini On the Go Palette. Normally, the 22-piece palette goes for $15, but right now, you can get both palettes for $10 each.  

Top: Prism Eyeshadow Palette. Bottom: 22-Piece Mini On the Go Palette.

Now, because I like to end things on a good note, let's start out with the 22-piece palette and get that out of the way.

You see, for me, this was a fail. Through and through. It's really a shame, too, because the idea is fantastic. It's just the execution that falters.

Before I go any farther, let's start with the good: I very much enjoy the concept of carrying a purse-friendly, compact palette with shadows, blushes, glosses, applicators, and a mascara. Normally, you get some combination of a few of those elements, but rarely all of them. Also, kudos for putting the cream products in a section to themselves, thus preventing the powder shadows and blushes from contaminating the glosses. It really sucks when you apply a pretty pink gloss, only to find that particles of black eyeshadow have smeared across you lips, as well. There's also a really nice mirror, so you actually can apply your makeup "on the go".

And that's about it. And I hate that.

So, what's so terrible about this palette? Unfortunately, pretty much everything (oh, I HATE this review!! It's so negative, and I really adore E.L.F.!). To start with, the packaging is boring, shoddy, and just plain bulky. Sadly, I didn't get a picture of it from the side, but while it's only about the length and width of a credit card, the height is ridiculous. It's a brick. Think of two Altoids tins stacked one atop the other, and you've got a pretty accurate representation. It's supposed to be travel-friendly, but there's not a pocket in my purse large enough to hold it (and I travel heavy). Of course, even if I could fit it into my bag, I wouldn't because the clasp is flimsy, and I'm afraid it would open up and spill everywhere. It's just not workable as a travel palette.

Secondly, the products aren't very good. The eyeshadows are chalky and lacking in the pigment department. Below, I have a random sampling of some of the shadows, and I had to really work to build them up to this intensity. The fourth shadow from the left--see if you can spot it. It's supposed to be the cornflower blue in the top row of the palette. Now, if you look at the shadows in the pan, they appear to have a variety of finishes, ranging from matte to glitter. However, when you apply them, they all come off as matte, and unfortunately, muddy together. I tried wearing a few to work, and while I didn't have any fading or creasing, the overall look was so embarrassingly...the only word I have is muddy, y'all. I'm sorry...that I had to pull out my usual purse palette and re-do it before I left the office.

Of course, E.L.F. shadows tend to be hit or miss, but the lip products have, generally, been pretty good. I had higher hopes for the second tier.

See! The colors are lovely, and there's a nice range of shades. Another thing that bugged me about the shadows was the apparent randomness of color choices. When I think of a purse palette, I think of touch-up shades: a deep shade for adding drama, a shimmer to perk up a look or cover creasing...that sort of thing. The shadows didn't deliver on that, but the lip colors--more sticks than glosses, really--fared better. Sadly, they feel kind of gritty on the lips, look thick and chalky, and wear off quickly. The lip brush is splayed and unusable, and shed the first time I tried to dip it into the product. Below is another random sampling of colors. They are very pretty in the pan and in swatches. It's just a shame they wear so poorly.

Left to Right: the light pink, the last shade, the deep purple.

On to the blushes! I'll be perfectly honest with you; I did not try these. I couldn't. I don't have a brush small enough. The included brush wasn't usable, and each color is roughly the size of a postage stamp. Again, this is a shame because E.L.F. tends to do well with blushes, and these colors are just gorgeous. From what I can tell, they appear to be a subtle golden highlight, a raspberry blush, and a light, shimmery bronzer.

I did swatch these, and that made me even more unhappy. They swatch well and look just lovely. I just can't use them.

I didn't even bother with the mascara. It's their standard studio mascara, so if you like it, you'll like this. It's not enough to make or break this palette. So, in summation, it's a wonderful idea. It just didn't work.

Part of me wonders if, perhaps, this was rushed into production. Recently, Urban Decay released the Anarchy and Shattered Face Cases (shadows, blushes, and a lip pencil in a compact case), and I wonder if this was launched as a response to that. Granted, the case more resembles a Too Faced Glamour To Go, but I really do wonder. This is pure speculation, but I get the feeling this started out as a dupe of the Glamour To Go, and then went into production early because of the Urban Decay. Maybe not. It's just a theory, and the only way I can understand how something that was so clearly not thought through could be released. Hopefully, they'll keep with the idea, but tweak it so that it works better. Personall, I'd reduce the number of shadows to eight and up the quality of each, make the glosses "glosses" (creamier and easier to apply without a brush), and include only one blush and one bronzer/highlight (to increase the size of each). I'm not sure what to do about the bulk of the packaging, but even rounding the corners would help. Right now, it's a mess.

Okay, now that that unpleasantness is out of the way, let me show you my new friend:

Isn't it pretty?! These are well-done shadows, y'all. This is the Prism Palette in Sunset, and here's how E.L.F. describes it:

These ultra-silky and lustrous eyeshadows look like a powder but feel like a cream, allowing for a smooth and flawless application. Use to contour, line, and highlight for a radiant finish. The luminous, shimmery formula creates a gorgeous range of looks for both day and night.

They ain't lyin'. I have had very little luck with E.L.F. shadows in the past. The best I've ever had was half of the Maleficent palette from last year. When I opened this baby up, I let out an audible gasp. I could tell just by looking at the shadows that they were going to be special.

These swatches are crap. In person, they look much richer and sparkle like nobody's business. The formula is fantastic, too. They're creamy and silky, and not even slightly powdery. These swatches are in palette order, and those second, third, and fourth shades are standouts.

Is this a perfect palette? No. You will need to augment it with some matte or satin shadows, and probably with some deeper shades to put together a complete look. If you have Urban Decay's Naked Basics, you're set. I can completely forgive that, though, because of the formula. I would put it on par with Stila, honestly. It's that kind of soft, slightly flaky (not flaking off, but it's almost like it applies in a solid flake form...or maybe I'm insane...either way), shimmering texture. I didn't experience any creasing or fading in the hours that I wore these, and felt confident enough to use the palette for a holiday party look. These are just d@*n good shadows, and you get six of them for ten dollars. There are two other versions, Naked and Smoke (I tell you, they are seriously trying to get in on the Urban Decay audience), with neutral and jewel tones, respectively. I haven't tried them, yet, but after falling in love with Sunset, I may need to place another order.

Final Verdict

22-Piece On the Go Palette: 2 out of 10. Great idea, but executed poorly.

Prism Palette: 9 out of 10. Gorgeous, and tremendously good quality. On par with high end. 

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

UPDATED! It's Not a Time Turner, But It'll Do: CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-In-1 Foundation

My time is not my own.

Between my job, rehearsals, teaching, the other job, the other other job, buying a house (we signed yesterday!! Done!!), filming...well, I think you get the picture. I'm busy. Aren't we all?

Seriously, I don't know a soul who isn't practically killing themselves trying to make a living and maintain some semblance of a personal life. I could get into a rant on that topic (and probably will), but it'll have to wait for another day. Frankly, I don't have time to rant.

I love a good one-step wonder. Anything that can save even a minute or two is tops in my book. Back in the day, I was a huge fan of the Stila One-Step foundation. It claimed to be a primer, concealer, and foundation, all in one, and it actually lived up to the hype. True, it was a little thick, but it covered like a champ, and was, flat-out, my Holy Grail foundation...and they discontinued it. Of course. Not only that, they discontinued it somewhere around the exact minute I discovered that it existed...because the universe has a sick sense of humor.

Imagine my delight when BzzAgent asked if I would be interested in trying CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation! It made all of the same claims as the Stila, but at a drugstore price (plus, they sent me a coupon to pick up a free bottle)--how could I refuse? Could this be as good? My curiosity was definitely piqued.

Now, trying to colormatch a drugstore foundation can be tricky because you can't swatch anything. Some brands have little cards you can hold up, which is helpful, but this isn't one of those brands. The product comes in a glass jar with a pump (yay! It's hygienic!), so you can see the color, at least, but there's a lot of room for error. I wavered between Classic Beige (810) and Buff Beige (825) for a while, and finally settled on Buff Beige. I figured it would be better to be slightly too dark than slightly too light. At least, this way--worst case scenario--I could use it over a fake tan. Luckily, it matched perfectly, so if you're a MAC NW15, go with Buff Beige.

Application was a snap. I used a Real Techniques Expert Face brust to buff the liquid (not the cream I was expecting, given the claims) into my skin. It applied smoothly and evenly, and I was pleasantly surprised by the coverage. Here's a shot, sans concealer or powder:

I feel pretty. Oh, so pretty. I feel pretty and witty and...really brave, actually

A little ruddiness around my cheeks and nose remained, but nowhere near as much as I'm used to seeing. Also, my dark spots were still visible, but just barely. I did need to use a little concealer under my eyes and on a blemish, but only the teeniest amount. I am extremely impressed by the coverage.

The formula is light and comfortable. I can see that I'm wearing makeup, but it doesn't look cakey, and I feel like my skin can still breathe. Given the heat and humidity down here in the ninth cir--Deep South, makeup weight can be a dealbreaker. This is perfectly wearable. The foundation also has what I would describe as a semi-matte finish; it's not completely matte, but not dewy, either. To me, it just looks like skin, which is kind of the point. My only complaint is that it does seem to settle in the lines on my forehead. Normally, I wear bangs, so it's not really a problem, but my hair was "not being its best self", as my mother would put it. I had to pull my bangs back, and my lines are prominently on display. Oh, well. Other than that, I'm super happy with the look.

Okay, so it looks fantastic when you first put it on, but how does it hold up? Pretty darn well, actually. Today is a hot, humid, rainy, miserable day (in other words, Wednesday), and I had a million errands to run. Here's a shot of me at the three-hour mark:

All other makeup used for this look (ha! Thrown on to run errands and go to work...) is drugstore, with the exception of my mascara, eyeliner, and brow pencil. And my brows still suck. Oh, well.

Not bad! None of the foundation has worn off, and there are no oil slicks in sight. I checked again at the four- and five-hour marks, and while I could top off my powder if I wanted to, it wasn't really necessary. I'll keep checking throughout the day, and update here if there's anything to report. My first impression of this is that it's a keeper. Honestly, I think I prefer it to the Stila, and that's really saying something.

The Good
Scent is very light to non-existent
Even application
Medium to full coverage
Light feel
Natural-looking finish
Eliminates need for primer
Hygienic pump
Wide selection of shades
Good staying power
Easily available

The Bad
On the expensive side for drugstore ($12.99 at Ulta)
Concealer is still needed (though minimally)
Colormatching is a bit tricky
Can settle into fine lines

Final Verdict: 7.1 out of 10. This isn't just a good drugstore foundation. It's a good foundation. Period.

UPDATE!! After twelve hours of continuous wear, the foundation still looked pretty much like it did when I put it on. I didn't see any fading or caking. I did top off the powder around the six hour mark, but that was it. Darn good stuff.

*Disclaimer: BzzAgent sent me a coupon for this item so that I could try it out for free. They are a word-of-mouth advertising company, but I am not required to review it here, and all opinions are my own. Y'all know me; if I don't like something, I'll tell you. For more information on BzzAgent, please click here.

Stormy Weather: Hurricane-Inspired Makeup Look

There's a hurricane a-comin'! A HURRICANE A-COMIN'!!!

Or, you know, something like that.

My home is in a state of emergency, and just barely outside of a mandatory evactuation zone, so Thomas and I have spent the weekend preparing for the worst and hoping for the best...which would be a day off from work and just enough rain to knock the pollen off the cars. Right now, it's absolutely gorgeous outside, so I decided to celebrate the beautiful weather with a colorful, Hurricane cocktail-inspired (sunset-colored), almost Fall makeup look.

I like it. It kind of makes me think of a 1920s flapper, but maybe I'm just weird. Here's how it breaks down:

Skin
Primer: Tarte Clean Slate
Foundation: MAC Studio Sculpt in NW15
Concealer: Benefit Boi-ing
Powder: Rimmel Stay Matte
Blush: NARS Orgasm
Highlight: MAC Mineral Blush Duo in Moon River
Eyes
Primer: Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Sippin' 'n' Dippin'
Shadows: Stila in Prize, Urban Decay in Free Love, Urban Decay in Woodstock, LORAC in Sand
Liner: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero, Urban Decay in Suspect, Urban Decay in Dark Horse
Mascara: Buxom Lash in Black
Brows: E.L.F. Brow Kit in Medium

To get the gradated effect, I began with Prize in the inner corners, and took it a third of the way across the eye. I added a thick layer of Free Love to the center third of the eye, and a thick layer of Woodstock at the outer corner. I blended Woodstock through the crease, then used a fluffy blending brush to sort of rake the color across my lids, going from hot pink to gold, only in one direction. Under the eyes, I lined the lash line with the same colors, in the same order, then used a thin line of Suspect to blend them together. Dark Horse lines the outer half of the lash line. Sand fills in the area from crease to brow.

Lips
Liner/Lipstick: Buxom Big & Healthy Lipstick in Bombay
Gloss: Buxom Lips in Amber
I hope you enjoyed this! I know I had fun putting it together. For those of you down here: stay safe!! For everyone else: have a great Monday, and I'll try to post tomorrow. Comments? Leave 'em below!

Already? July Favorites

Well, another month has flown by. My brother starts high school in a couple of weeks, and there are only 69 more days until Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party. Seriously, where has this year gone?

Anyway, old lady moment aside, here are the products I gravitated toward the most this month. I normally try to choose two items for each category, but this month, I had some clear favorites that blew everything else out of contention. I hope you enjoy!

Eyes
Benefit Creaseless Cream Eye Shadow in Sippin' and Dippin'
I know, I picked this last month, but you know what? It's still awesome. In addition to being a pretty color on its own, it works really well as an eye shadow base. The golden peach shows nicely through bronze shades.

Stila Eye Shadow in Sparkle
Speaking of bronze shades, this is my favorite to layer over the Benefit. It's not glittery, but just shimmery enough to catch the light, and looks fantastic sheered over the lid. Also makes a nice, subtle crease color.


Lips
Revlon Lip Butter in Peach Parfait
I just posted about this the other day, and I can not get enough of this color. I won't bore you with my ravings again. Just go get one.


Face
Rimmel Stay Matte Shine Control Pressed Powder in Transparent
I know I've mentioned this product a bajillion times on here. I keep one in my personal stash and one in my film kit. It is the best setting powder I've ever used. I've tried Urban Decay, Bare Minerals, MAC, Clinique...you name it, and keep coming back to this drugstore pick.

Urban Decay All-Nighter Setting Spray
There is a post coming on this, but here's the short of it: it's supposed to keep makeup from melting off, and it actually does. The end.


Nails
China Glaze in Rainbow
I've really been impressed with China Glaze. I'd never tried them before the Hunger Games polishes came out, and now I can't get enough! This color is an iridescent pink opal that lasts for ages, even without a top coat. Perfect for lazy bones like me.


Body
Ahava Velvet Cream Body Wash in Hibiscus and Fig
This came in my Glossybox, and I've really enjoyed it. I'm seriously thinking of repurchasing when I run out. A travel-size (like I have now) is only $7 at Ulta. That's definitely reasonable.

Satin Care Shave Gel with a Touch of Olay
I've been looking for a good shaving cream ever since my favorite Soap & Glory disappeared, then reappeared at a much higher price. This is it. It's moisturizing, doesn't goop up on the razor, and keeps down nicks and cuts. It's a keeper, and only a few dollars at the drugstore.

Sitting Pretty In Express Check-In

Summer Vacation! Sign me up! Right now, all I want to do is put on a swimsuit (and a cover up! Dear God!), slather on some sunscreen, grab a margarita and listen to crashing waves. Honestly, I can't think of anything in the world I'd rather do than just that. Lucky for me, I live 45 minutes from a gorgeous beach, so all I have to do is toss a cooler and towel in the trunk of my car and drive off into the sunshine. However, I know that's not the case for everyone. Some of you might even have to *gasp* brave air travel to get your beach on. Since Memorial Day is around the corner, and no one wants to have to check a bag if they can avoid it, here are my top purse-sized makeup palette choices to get you through the long weekend with no muss, no fuss, and hopefully, no strip searches*.

Okay, I picked five palettes that will not only take care of all of your color needs, but will also fit neatly inside your purse or beach bag for touch-ups. The only other things you might want to toss in your quart-sized Ziploc are a Garnier BB Cream (super-cheap and works great!), a waterproof mascara (, and maybe a liner (I like Urban Decay 24/7 Shadow Pencil in Rehab for a natural, beachy look. Milani also has a drugstore dupe that's almost spot on). I don't even think I'd bother with powder, considering the humidity. Seriously, what would even be the point? But, of course, that's up to you. To keep your money handy for souveniers and mai tais, these are all under $30.
 

Photo Credit: Twilight Beauty



The teeniest of the bunch is the itty-bitty Luna Twilight (yes, that Twilight) Color Palette in Rosalie. It's, literally, the size of a credit card. Ultra-thin and lightweight, you'd never guess that it has two shadows (peachy champagne and a soft almost-tangerine), a peach lipstick, apricot gloss, and a good-sized blusher that rivals Benefit Coralista. I haven't reviewed this palette, for some odd reason, but I've played with it for a little while now, and think it makes one of the most beautiful, natural-looking makeups I've ever worn. The colors melt into your skin, making it seem as if you just naturally look this gorgeous. I'll be 32 in about three weeks, and, I swear, this makes me look more like I'll be 22. Can't say enough good about it. My only complaint: I wish you could buy the colors in larger sizes, as well. $28, and other characters are available. If that's a little steep for you, click this link to go to a discount site. It's only $12.99 there, and not a knock-off or anything shady like that. 

Photo Credit: Kaboodle



The next one is also $12.99, but that's its regular price. NYX Natural Look Kit in Nude On Nude contains nine neutral shadows and two pink-toned glosses, which could also double for cheek color (that's me talking, not NYX). I have not had the opportunity to test the kit out, but from my experience and research, this is a great deal on some quality products. There are several variations of this kit out there, but this bronzey-brown kit is my pick to look like a golden goddess over Memorial weekend.

Photo Credit: Musings of a Muse

Stila puts out some fantastic travel kits, and they're all very reasonably priced. Not So Nude may be the best-looking one they've had, to date. I say best-looking because I (again) haven't gotten to personally play with it, but if it's anything like their other kits, it's a winner. For only $20, you get six shadows (and I adore Stila shadows. They're like shimmery butter), an all-over highlight in cult-fave Kitten, and a convertible color for cheeks and lips in Lily. Again, it's perfect for a natural, carefree look.

Photo Credit: Sephora

This Sephora Collection Mini-Bag Makeup Palette is too adorable for words! I have seen this little $15 wonder up-close, and it's just darling. You get nine high-quality shadows in a range similar to the original UD Naked palette, four pretty glosses that range from nude to deep berry, and a lovely blush that reminds me of Avon Classic Aura (one of my favorites). When closed, the kit resembles a Sephora shopping bag, complete with logo and a little red handle.

Photo Credit: TooFaced

Lastly, and my favorite of the group, the TooFaced Glamour To Go Palette. This $22 pack of awesomeness comes with eight creamy shadows, a good-sized bronzer and blush duo, and a lovely transluscent pink gloss. The kit is also just as cute as can be, and closes down to about the size of a smartphone, give or take. Out of the five, this would be my pick, if only because of the included bronzer. You can do a lot with a good bronzer, and TooFaced makes some of the best, in my opinion.

Happy Trails, and bring me back a daiquiri!

*Please check all TSA Rules before packing any liquids or gels in your carry-on. Rules can change, and I don't want anyone to get in trouble. Thanks!

Frugal Friday: How Glossy Is Your Box?

...wait...that doesn't sound right...

Hey! There's actually STUFF this Friday!! Check out these deals!

E.L.F.: $1.98 shipping on orders $15 and over. Use code 198SHIP by 5/12/12.

BeautyMint: Get $15 off, plus free blotting papers with your first order. Use code BMBLOT15. Today only.

TooFaced: Friends and Family Sale! Take 20% off your purchase with code FFSPRING12. (Fine print says "select items" but email says "everything". I say, pick what you want and give it a shot.)

And a head's up: Stila sale on Hautelook Monday!! Starts at 10AM CT, and the good stuff will go quickly! Good luck!

Photo Credit: Glossybox

If you're a sample junkie like me, have I got an early Christmas present for you! Glossybox, the sampling program popular in over fifteen countries, has finally made it to the US! I'm not talking those little packet samples that get tossed in with your Sephora purchases, either. These are deluxe mini, travel, and sometimes FULL sized products.

The way it works: Place your order ($21/month, $115/6 months, $220/12 months), and Glossybox will send you five (or possibly more, from what I've seen online) products to play with. Cancel at any time. You'll also fill out a Beauty Profile, which asks about hair and skin, and stuff like that.

I've never used the service before, obviously, but I have signed up for the very first edition as an early birthday present to myself, and will happily share all the details of my experience with you. I can already tell you that this won't be a monthly thing for me, since it's not exactly pocket change, but it might be a nice way to stock up on minis before a vacation. This month's box supposedly holds products from C.O. Bigelow (love them!), O.P.I. (yay!), and Kryolan (oooh! That's stage pro stuff! I can use that!), among others.

Have any of you used a sample service before? Birchbox? Test Tube? How'd it go? Leave your experiences in the comments below. Thanks!

Frugal Friday: Colour Me Glow 99-Cent Awesomeness

Charlotte Russe: 13% off every order, plus 13-cent shipping. Today only. No code needed.
Smashbox: Pick 3 deluxe samples with every order. Ends Sunday. No code needed.
Old Navy: 13% off any online order with code ONFRIDAY13. Today only.

I am so excited about today's find, I can barely stand it! This is not a full review, since I haven't gotten a chance to try this out, but more of a head's up. /End of disclaimer

So, one of my favorite beauty vlogs, Glow My Way, had a terrific review of some (pardon the expression, but it's the only one I can think of to properly convey the sheer insanity of this) redonkulously cheap drugstore makeup. Since it's about time to start filming again, and I usually end up doing a good bit of the actors' makeup, I was already on the hunt for products to restock my kit. These 99-cent palettes from Walgreen's* seemed to be worth looking into.

Like I said, I haven't had a chance to wear any of the colors, but I did swatch one of the four Profusion Cosmetics Colour Me Glow palettes I bought, and color me impressed! Each palette holds twelve shades, so I just picked up 48 eyeshadows for four bucks. Sure, there are some duplicates among the pack, but even if you factor those in, that's still a ton of product for less than some specialty drinks at Starbucks.



With ballpoint pen for scale

 The palettes I picked up were 05,06, 07, and 08, and I didn't realize I'd done that until I went to type this. 05 and 08 are almost entirely neutral (05 has a pop of pink), and 06 and 07 are a mix of brights and neutrals. They are billed as metallics, but I'd call them all shimmers with chunky glitter. Don't let that glitter scare you, though. As you'll see in the swatches, it doesn't really transfer from pan to skin.

Now, onto the swatches. This is palette 06. I was interested in the bright turquoise and pink.

Left to Right: First three-left side of pan (bottom to top), Second three-right side of pan (bottom to top)
Last five-top row of pan (left to right)

I ran out of arm. This is the last one on the top row of the pan. The coppery one.
And yes, my hand was clean.

As you can see, these shadows are nicely pigmented. They're not quite up to Urban Decay's level, but they're not far off. Of course, they also don't cost anywhere near UD's prices, either.

They're not super-soft shadows, like UD or Stila, but more along the consistency of MAC, which are...I'm going with "sturdier" here. MAC's shadows are amazing and gorgeous, and I love them, but they're not soft, and I hate to use the words "hard" or "dry", since they have such negative conotations. They're sturdy. There.

If you look at the swatches, you will see one or two bits of glitter, but nothing compared to the sparklies in the pan. In my book, that's a good thing. I do love my glitter shadows, but not for film, and that's what these are, ultimately, going to be used for. I do see a couple of shades in here that could be dupes for UD's Midnight Emergency palette (sans the glitter), so I'll test that out and follow-up if that proves to be the case. It sure would be nice to dupe an expensive eyeshadow for about eight cents.

Left Side of Pan

Middle of Pan

Right Side of Pan

I'll try these out over the weekend (most likely), and have a full review for you sometime in the not-too-distant future. In the meantime, if you're feeling adventurous and have an extra buck, pick one up for yourself, and be sure to let me know your thoughts in the comments.

*Yes, I know this website isn't Walgreen's, nor does it list the palette for 99-cents. Walgreen's site doesn't show them at all, but they are priced at 99-cents in the store. You'll just have to trust me on that, I guess.

Frugal Friday: I Wanna Look Like Katniss!

Photo Credit: E.L.F. Cosmetics

Well, this sucks. I have absolutely no deals or discounts for you guys today. It's just a dead Friday, I guess. What I did find, though, that kind of fits into the "frugal" part of "Frugal Friday", is a Hunger Games makeup tutorial, courtesy of discount-makeup titan, E.L.F.

What I love about this tutorial is that, while it is based on a movie character, this is actually a really nice, wearable, "no-makeup" look. It's something that would easily fit in at a casual beach wedding, Saturday outlet shopping trip, or just relaxing outdoors. Nothing about this screams, "I love Hunger Games and want to be Katniss when I grow up!!!" It's just a nice, normal, carefree look.

Now, obviously, they used E.L.F. products exclusively, but you don't have to go that route. If you already have similar products in your kit, go with those. For example: I don't happen to own their brand of tinted moisturizer, but I do have a Too Faced Beauty Balm. In fact, I'm just going to go through their tutorial and add in the products I would recommend as dupes. That way, you can dig through your kits and see what you already have before placing any unnecessary online orders. I'll mark all my edits with ***. 

1. Start out by applying our Studio Tinted Moisturizer in the shade that best suites you.
***Any tinted moisturizer would work. Just go with what works best for you.

2. Contour the cheekbones, temples of the forehead, and sides of the nose with our Essentials Bronzer with Brush for that sun kissed look. 
***Benefit Hoola is great for contouring because of its matte finish. However, if you like a dewier look, try Too Faced Sun Bunny for a light shimmer. Sun Bunny is also fantastic on porcelain lasses, such as myself.

3. Highlight the center of the face with our Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder in 'Luminance' for a lit from within glow.
***As far as highlighters go, I'm a fan of Too Faced Snow Bunny, but LORAC Perfectly Lit Oil-Free Luminizing Powder in Spotlight is pretty darn wonderful, too. Honestly, though, I'm always wary of putting shimmer in my T-zone. If you want to try a different route, I'd suggest MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural (in whatever color matches your skin tone) for a soft, airbrushed, matte finish that still makes you appear to glow. It's gorgeous.

4. Brush brows into place with our Eyebrow Treat & Tame.
***Clear mascara works well for this. I'm also a fan of E.L.F. Eyebrow Kit.

5. Line the eyes with a brown eyeliner and smudge with a Q-Tip or blending brush. Try our Brightening Eyeliner in Coffee.
***Ulta Automatic Eyeliner in Deep Brown is a staple in my kit. A dark brown shadow would work well, too, since you're smudging it anyway. Urban Decay Twice Baked has always worked well for me.

6. Coat lashes with a few swipes of waterproof brown mascara.
***It's not brown, but I love Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes for a natural look. If you really want brown, though, CoverGirl Lash Blast Fusion is a really nice one, and inexpensive to boot.

7. Coat lips with a swipe of our Lip Balm SPF 15 in 'Clear'.
***Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush Minty Lip Shine should be in everyone's kit. It's a basic, clear gloss with no shimmer, and the minty flavor helps freshen your breath. If you need a color, though (and I would), Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Balms are a great way to go, and Bora Bora (sheer cherry) would be my pick. A less expensive version (and one that stays in my purse at all times) is CoverGirl NatureLuxe Gloss Balm in Muscat. Both give you a pop of color that still looks natural.

I'm also going to suggest popping a little peachy blush on the cheeks (Benefit Coralista is a fave. There's no shimmer, but a very fine sheen that looks extremely natural), and a bronze shadow on the eyes (Buxom Stay-There in Mutt or Stila's Sparkle), just to complete the look. May the odds be in your favor!

Worth No Sleep and Crazy Crowds: Stila Glitz and Glam Palette

A few weeks ago, I found myself impulse buying a makeup palette. This, for the record, is not something I generally do. I'm a research, look at it, hem and haw, look at it again, research some more, justify the heck out of it, and eventually go back and get it, if it's still there and has gone on sale kind of girl. However, this was just too good to pass up: a Stila mini palette with four plummy shadows, neutral blush, highlighter, and full-sized lip glaze for $14. How could that get any better?!
It could go on sale for $10. That's how.

Figures. Anyhoo, the Stila Glitz and Glam palette is part of Sephora's Black Friday sale, and I'm going to cut to the chase and recommend it. I've used mine several times and received some really nice compliments. That's the short. Here's the long:

Packaging: The palette is constructed of heavy-duty cardboard (think: Golden Book) and opens to reveal a small mirror and instruction guide on one side, and products on the other. The entire setup is the size of my DROID, and fits neatly in a purse. Lip Glaze packaged separately in a click pen. I hate click pens, but that's just me.

The four shadows are large, and blush and highlighter are similar in size to a CoverGirl compact. My only gripe is that the blush and darker shadows are so close together that I have accidentally ended up with purple cheeks, so be careful. 7 out of 10.

Products: The shadows (champagne, rose gold, plummy fawn, and dark grape) are sheer, but nicely pigmented and silky, and work together beautifully. There is some shimmer, but not enough glitter to make this too teenybopper or inappropriate for the workplace. Heck, I wore these to church last week and got more compliments there than anywhere else.

The blush (dusty rose) is also very sheer, and pale as I am, I have to pile it on. However, the built up color is stunning. The highlighter is colorless, but imparts a subtle sparkle to applied areas.
Lastly, the raisin lip glaze, while my least favorite of the group due to it's stickiness, is a lovely deep crimson that can be applied lightly or deepened, depending on the occasion. The overall effect of the set is sophisticated and elegant. 8 out of 10.

Wearability: Overall, this is a gorgeous set, but you will need to do a bit more than the included directions let on. Obviously, you'll need foundation and powder, but I'd also recommend a black or deep purple shadow liner, top and bottom, and black mascara, top and bottom. I also like to add a little contouring to my cheek bones with a light bronzer.

With or without the additions, this is an immensely wearable set; appropriate enough for holiday parties or Christmas Mass. The colors also work well alone. You're getting a lot for your tenner, that's for sure. 9 out if 10.

Final Verdict: 8.7. You'd be crazy to pass this up.

UPDATE: These are super sheer, so they don't show up too well on camera, sorry to say. That, and I suck at photography. Also, sorry to say. From left to right: Glitz (good luck finding it), Glam, Glitter, Glow, Amore blush, and Illuminate highlighter (again, good luck finding it). 

I Swear, I've Never Done This Before!

A little while back, I gave you all the heads up on a nifty little doo-dad over at Too Faced: custom palettes for half-price (roughly the same price as one of the three included items). That was a fantastic deal, and I'm completely in love with mine, but alas, all good things must come to an end, and the custom palettes are no more. However, all the items that went into the palette are still available, and they're pretty darn awesome, so I thought I'd share with you a quick review of each.

Photo Credit (This and All): Too Faced

First up, the eyeshadow duo that came with my palette was Totally Toasted. The right side of the duo is a pink-tinged beige, while the left is a rosy brown. I love this eyeshadow. It's creamy, but not so soft that it breaks when you look at it funny (I'm looking at you, Stila), and pearly without being too glittery. The lighter color completely brightens your eye area, too, while the crease color adds just enough definition to be polished without screaming "I'm wearing makeup!!" They also blend together like magic. I've been pairing mine with a black liner pen on the top lashes, a smoky gray shadow liner on bottom, and black mascara on top lashes only. It's a little mod, and a little pin-up-y at the same time. Currently, Totally Toasted is out of stock, but that seems to be a temporary situation. If you're desperate for a substitute, though, Sexpresso & Peach Fuzz (sorry, Mom) seems to be the next closest duo. $17.00, Too Faced. 10 out of 10.

Next up, the brightening blush in Pinch My Petals Pink. Now, I'm more of a warm-toned girl; between the auburn hair and green eyes, I didn't have much choice in the matter. However, sometimes you just need to wear pink blush, especially when you're as into pink as I seem to have gotten in my advanced age. (Seriously, my pink phase has just happened over the past couple of years. What happened? I mean, I've always liked pink, but this has gotten out of hand...anyway...) It's just never been my best blush choice. I've tried everything from baby pink to fuchsia, to no avail. This blush, for some reason, works. It's pink--there's no doubt--but it's very subtle, with a hint of warmth, and it's just lovely. It also glides on silky-smooth, and looks very natural. This is a keeper. $20.00, Too Faced. 10 out of 10.

Lastly, the Mirror Mirror lipgloss in I Love Myself. First off, let me just say that I adore the names of these glosses. Each one is a little ego boost. My next purchase may have to be "D*mn, I'm Hot", just because it'll make me giggle pulling it out of my purse. This gloss is hot pink in the container, but goes on sheer with just a hint of rosy color. Now, they weren't kidding when they called it Mirror Mirror; this stuff is vinyl-like in its shininess! Thing is, though, it's not even slightly sticky, feels moisturizing, and lasts for a good long time. Again, pink isn't the easiest color for me to wear, but this is extremely flattering. Bonus points for smelling and tasting like pink grapefruit. My only gripe: the deluxe sample they sent me isn't nearly big enough! I'm going to actually have to buy the full-sized. $14.40, Too Faced. 10 out of 10.

And that, ladies and gents, is a first. I've never--NEVER--given a palette all 10s before. It's a Festivus Miracle!!

The Price of Convenience: Philosophy Hope In a Tinted Moisturizer

Photo Credit: Sephora

I did not want to like this. Not at all. Thirty-eight dollars for tinted moisturizer is highway robbery, no matter how fabulous it claims to be. And it is fabulous, no question about it. Oh, I really did not want to like this, and now I am in a quandary.

You see, when I placed my Sephora order for Mom's Mother's Day gift (I got her one of those sunscreen kits, since she would live by the pool, if it were possible), I had the option to try a deluxe sample of Philosophy Hope In a Tinted Moisturizer. I've been on the hunt for a good tinted moisturizer to get me through the Summer, so I figured, "why not?" I've all but replaced my Benefit Some Kinda Gorgeous with CoverGirl NatureLuxe (I know! It's drugstore! How could it be better than Benefit?! It just is, and I love it), but it's still a little heavy for 90+ degree, humidity-laden days, especially if you put it on over an anti-aging moisturizer and a primer--even a light one (SPF is built in, thank God. One more layer might kill me). I used to be a Stila tinted moisturizer devotee, but they changed the formula and I haven't had a chance to try the new product. So, basically, I'm at square one. I've used Hope in a Jar before, and had great success with it after a long, drying, cross-country flight. I also knew that I could use this in place of my normal anti-aging moisturizer without losing any benefits. I just had no idea the Philosophy was thirty-eight freaking dollars. Oh, how I wish I'd known...

Anyhoo, the Light to Medium sample came in, and I was able to give it a good go yesterday. I had errands, then work, then I went power walking for a couple of miles outside in the unforgiving heat and humidity. Just for extra fun, I left off all primers, too. I'm evil like that.

First off, I cringed when I first saw some of the actual product. It looked orange! I actually started humming "Oompa-Loompa Doopity Doo". Adventurer that I am, though, I patted the moisturizer on. I patted because this is a fairly dry moisturizer, and if you try to smooth it on, you end up pulling your skin. This does not mean it isn't hydrating! It just means that you won't end up with a greasy face, which is good. Amazingly, the orange disappeared, and the color blended perfectly with my skin tone. Aside from an even complexion, I couldn't tell I had anything on. This is also good. If I had to complain about anything, my skin looked a little dull. More on that later.

I applied the rest of my makeup as usual, and went about my day. I did notice, about mid-day, that my eyeshadow creased a tad, but was easily smoothed out. After my walk, I fully expected to have no makeup left (at best) or look like Tammy Faye Bakker (at worst), but was delighted to note that my makeup looked okay. It wasn't fresh as a daisy, but it had stayed put.

This morning, I did the same thing, but went ahead and used eyeshadow primer. I also took a very small amount of my Benefit That Gal Brightening Primer and patted it on top of my moisturizer. This added a lovely glow that took care of the dullness, without smearing an entire layer of goop on my face.

So, in a nutshell, you can skip the sunscreen and anti-aging moisturizer and still reap the benefits. I had luck without primer, so you may be able to skip that, too. This product works to make your skin better than it was before you put it on. Technically, it's the same price as a slightly larger tub of Hope In a Jar with SPF 25, but I still think the price is excessive.

Final Verdict: 8 out of 10. It's a great product that definitely saves you steps in the morning. It's just too darn expensive.   

The "It" Factor

Last year, Stila put out what they called the "It Girl" palette through Sephora. For about ten bucks, you got three large, coordinated eyeshadows, including their best-seller, Kitten. It was awesome. The colors were beautiful, the packaging was high-end, and the whole thing was so nice I gave one to a friend for her birthday. The amazing cocoa, bright gold, and champagne hues have earned their place on my counter, and also managed to find their way onto my eyes almost daily. This was seriously one of the best $10 purchases I've made.

But enough about that. It's gone. No longer in stock. Unavailable. What's a girl to do? Why get the "It Girl Eyeshadow Palette #2!" The price has gone up slightly ($14, Sephora), and while the colors are different, they're in no way disappointing.

Photo Credit: Sephora



This year's version focused on neutrals. You still get my very most favoritest eyeshadow ever, Kitten--a pale champagne pink that instantly brightens the entire eye area (I have three pans of it, now!)--but now it's paired with a shimmering gold-flecked coffee brown--aptly named Americano--and a surprisingly striking matte nut-brown, Eve. The shadows are soft and creamy, blend on like butter, are well-pigmented and have serious staying power. I use mine over a primer, but I've forgotten my primer before, and noticed little to no creasing. Stila makes a good eyeshadow. No doubt about it.

The packaging is identical to last year's. It consists of a sturdy, black plastic shell with a clear viewing window. The Stila logo is printed on the front in silver, surrounded by little stars. It's cute as pie, folks.

What's really impressive about this year's palette, though, is the versatility is affords. Right now, I'm sporting a day-appropriate smoky eye, created solely from this palette. Eve on the lid, Americano in the crease and as a liner, and all-over Kitten to soften and blend. By darkening up a bit, that becomes a night-time look. Playing around with these colors, you can create everything from an easy weekend style, to an elegant look befitting Princess-to-be-Middleton. These are colors and textures that I'm thrilled to wear, would look amazing on my fifty-something mother, and I'd feel comfortable giving my 14-year old cousin. They're classic, timeless, and ageless. Pick up a palette before they're gone. Heck, wrap one up for Mother's Day while you're at it.

Final Verdict: 9 out of 10, simply because a brush would have been really nice. Fabulous, darling!

Glow, Baby, Glow!

Hey folks! Today I have an update on the Smashbox deal, and the highly-anticipated (just go with it) Part II of the Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Illuminating Serum review!

 

First, to recap yesterday, Smashbox has a deal called "Let's Do Lunch", where on Tuesdays and Thursdays, you get a special bonus full-sized product as a gift with any purchase made from 9am to 2pm PST. Tuesday's gift was a $22 shadow liner, which is pretty darn nice, if you ask me. Today's is a $15 medium-sized gloss. Anyway, in addition to the gift, you also receive a bonus jumbo sample (the size of a deluxe 100-point sample at Sephora) and a mini-sample. Well, on top of that, I had another bonus sample--a mini reflecting lipgloss--mysteriously appear in my order confirmation. Where could that have possibly come from?

 

I'll tell you where. I found out today that if you sign up for Smashbox Pretty Points (which I did), you automatically get another bonus deluxe sample added to your order. That's where the gloss came from! Plus, you get five points for every dollar that you spend. When you hit 500 points, you get $10 to spend on the site. Oh, and did I mention free shipping on every order? Yeah, I'm in big trouble now.

 

Alrighty, now for Tarte Part Deux. In yesterday's review, I talked about wearing this product with makeup. Today, I thought I'd discuss wearing it alone, as suggested by the folks at Tarte. 

 

To recap, here's what Sephora says about this:

 

"Ideal for all skin types, this natural skin brightener is infused with Amazonian clay, vitamins, and tea extract to moisturize and replenish the skin. This healing clay completely neutralizes any negative skin condition so that you are left with a healthy, radiant complexion. Oily skin? Amazonian clay minimizes oil in and around pores to balance skin and keep product in place. Dry skin? This nourishing clay hydrates skin naturally to restore moisture so your makeup wears better, longer and truer. Use fingertips to apply a pearl-size amount alone or mix with your foundation."

 

I tried it with makeup, over my foundation, for a few days, and saw little to no difference in the luminosity of my skin, or in its condition. I achieved a better level of "glow" with a little bronzer and some mineral powder. 

 

Disappointed by that experiment, I thought I'd give wearing it alone a go. Last night, after I'd washed off my makeup, I applied the pearl-sized amount suggested to my clean skin. Um...wow. And not a good "wow". I looked like I'd been dunked in a vat of oil. Where I saw very little illumination with makeup, I sure as heck glistened without it! It was just too much. I decided that I'd give it a little while to calm down (I had just washed my face, afterall), and see how things looked in a couple of hours, before I went to bed. 

 

One Netflixed MST3K later (Ed Wood's Bride of the Monster, for the curious), I ducked into the bathroom to see how I looked...and was sad. It's just not flattering. Yes, the shine had worn down some, but my skin was nowhere near even. I'm not splotchy, to begin with, but this wasn't doing me any favors. Worse yet, the area under my eyes looked horrible! I don't have dark circles, but I do have hollow areas that I camoflage with concealer. Without makeup, they're not embarrassing, but they look better with, at least, a little foundation. With this, they looked sunken in. It was the first thing I noticed when I looked in the mirror. I was a shimmery zombie, and I must say, it's not my best look.

 

I immediately washed it off, put on my night cream, and went to bed. This morning, I didn't touch the stuff.

 

If you want an illuminating primer to wear under makeup (or even over, really), save $4 and get Benefit's That Gal. It's brightening, holds makeup in place, and makes skin look really pretty.

 

If you want a highlighter for cheeks, shoulders, or anywhere else you want to show off, save $3 and get NARS Orgasm Illuminator. It's a beautiful color that can even be used as a sheer liquid blush. I would use it on the entire face, due to the peachy-pink color, but it's gorgeous on cheeks and browbones. If you prefer powder to liquid, or just don't want to add any more color, LORAC Perfectly Lit Oil Free Luminizing Powder is amazing. Just don't use it all over your face. You won't save any money, but the effects are much more appealing.

 

Now, if you just want something to make you look airbrushed, you can save a whopping $13 (!!!) and get Bare Escentuals Hydrating Mineral Veil. It's hydrating (duh), absorbs oil, and has a slight shimmer that minimizes the look of fine lines. I use it every single day, and am completely in love with it.

If you're just begging for something to wear instead of makeup, though, I'd suggest a good tinted moisturizer. This Tarte stuff isn't it, but one I can recommend is Stila's Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer. It's actually $2 MORE than the Tarte, but at least it does what it says it does. It's lightweight, good for your skin, and has SPF 15. It's out of stock until June, but worth the weight. Fun Fact: During my time on the road, I had to wear heavy stage makeup every day, sometimes ALL day. In my off time, I wore this to give my skin a rest, and never had a breakout. Another Fun Fact: This now comes in an illuminating form. I haven't tried it, so I can't recommend it, but if anyone out there has used it, I'd love to hear from you in the comments.

I Wonder If They're #2's?

I used to get really bored in school.  Who didn't?  To pass the time, I had a tendency to rub my pencil under the desk, just to see how sharp I could make the graphite.  This was, of course, after M.A.S.H. had gotten old, all notes had been passed, and all the circular letters in my text book had been filled in.  Obviously, this was before smart phones, or I'd have just played on Facebook.  I did have a pager, but that wasn't much of a boredom buster.

So, yeah, I sharpened pencils and got about as close to defacing school property as a goody-two-shoes like me could get.  However, in all my years of pencil sharpening, I never did anything as cool as this:

Photo by Inhabitat

My friend, Megan, sent this picture to me, and after a little searching, I found out the artist's name is Dalton Ghetti.  He's from Connecticut, by way of Brazil, and does this for fun.  Ghetti has never sold any of his artwork, but gives the pencils away to friends and family.  The sculptures can take several months to complete, with at least one sculpture taking well over two years.  He carves them all without the aid of a magnifying glass, and his only tools are a razor blade, sewing needle and sculpting knife.  Here are a few of my favorites:

Photo by Inhabitat

That looks like the tiniest bronzed baby shoe ever.  It's so realistic that you almost believe you could put your foot in it!  I think the curled tongue is my favorite part.

Photo by Inhabitat

This is my absolute favorite out of the group.  I really couldn't tell you why, but I guess it's something about the open door to the mailbox--the expectation of it.  I really don't know, but it's lovely.  Ghetti keeps what he calls a "cemetery collection" for pieces that break mid-sculpt.  With this kind of detail, it's completely understandable that some would fall apart, and I'm thrilled he still shows them.

Photo by Inhabitat

Okay, this one just made me giggle.  ELVIS!!!!!  *swoon*  For more information on Dalton Ghetti, you can visit this site, or this one, or this one.

Okay, today's trip into the magic bag o' samples is actually an update.  Originally, I pulled out a different sample, but it had expired...last year...oops. 

A little while ago, I told you about Stila's One Step makeup foundation.  I highly recommended it, but added that while it does act as a primer, foundation, and powder, you would still need concealer.  I would like to ammend that.  When I made that statement, I was wearing the medium shade, which was a touch too dark for me, but worked if put on lightly.  Today, I used the light shade (which is a touch too light, but there is a shade in-between called 'tone' that would probably be my best bet), so I was able to apply the foundation a little more thickly.  Here's the ammendment:  you may not need concealer.  This covered my dark circles without any help (and I haven't not worn undereye cover since...well, birth, probably).  However, it did not completely cover the redness around a small blemish.  Basically, you can probably do without, but I'd still hang on to my concealer for emergencies.  Also, in case you were wondering, the foundation is still just as fantastic this time as it was the last.  This stuff is amazing, and could end up saving you a lot of money in the long run.  $44, Sephora.com.