OCTOBER FAVORITES

This month I tried so many new products that I have loved.

- Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Foundation

- Maybelline Dream Matte Powder

- NYC Matte Powder Bronzer

- Mac Cream Blush Blossoming

- Mac Mineral Blush Gentle

- Mac e/s De-vil

- Senna e/s Blend

- Revlon Lipsticks Smoked Peach & Just Enough Buff

- Jordana Lip Pencil Nude

- Rimmel Max Volume Flash Mascara

- Essence of Beauty Blender Brush- for foundation

- Coastal Scents Large Shadow Brush - packs on the color fast

- Rock & Republic Crease Brush - Most favorite brush, it just blends out the color without effort

I am going to review a lot of these products.  A lot of these products are really affordable and work great.

What's your favorite product this month? 

  

MAYBELLINE DREAM MATTE POWDER- A SECOND CHANCE

In my drugstore haul, I had said that I was using the Dream Matte Mousse.  I wanted to try a new powder with it.  When I put up my review of the Maybelline Dream Matte Powder, which I said I didn't like, I got a lot of comments saying how much they loved the powder.  So, I went back and took it out.

I am so glad I did.  This time I took a powder puff or sponge and pressed it onto my T-zone.  It really made a difference.  When I used a powder brush, it just flew everywhere, but didn't really stay on my face.

If you have oily skin the Matte Mousse and powder are really good products together.  Thanks for all the positive comments on the powder, it made me try it again.

What is the product that you gave a second chance and loved?

DRUGSTORE HAUL and FIRST IMPRESSIONSI

Rite-Aid had 40% off Maybelline last week and I picked up a few things to try and to review.  I had tried the Dream Matte Mousse a long time ago and I liked it.  I can say this much so far, I really love it.  The powder foundation is great too.  the Colossal mascara is a shiny black, but it has this scent that I am not too fond of.

My Hard Candy bronzer broke, and I found this pretty matte bronzer by NYC.  It comes in 2 shades and doesn't make the face look shiny, glittery, or ashy.

I tired a couple of shades of the Wet and Wild Nail polish, but they chipped off too quick.  The Mega Last is a bit better.

Finally, a Revlon Matte lipstick from the new collection in Smoked Peach 013.  It's a very pretty perfect coral.  I love the matte shades from Revlon. They are really pigmented and have staying power.

These are really some first impressions.  I'll have to do some better reviews when I have used them longer.  I have to say how much I have been loving drugstore products.  They have come a long way.

What was your latest drugstore find?

ROCK AND REPUBLIC MAKEUP - HAUL + swatches

We were in Las Vegas a couple of weeks ago and I did a little makeup shopping.  I have been looking at Rock and Republic makeup for a while, and decided to treat myself.  

The cases on all the products are so beautiful and real great quality.

BLUSH L - R

Contrived, Bedroom,  Pressed Powder Suede

TOP -BOTTOM

Suede powder, Bedroom, Contrived

The powder is sheer. It's perfect for setting because it feels silky on the face.  The blush colors are ALL beautiful. I tried to pick 2 very different colors.  I thought that Contrived blush would be a good bronzer too.

 EYESHADOW L - R

Provocative, Revenge

How perfect are these for fall.  They are just silky and pigmented like crazy.

BRUSHES TOP - BOTTOM

#101

#203

#204

These brushes and the handles are really beautiful.  They are soft, full, sturdy, and work great.

Rock and Republic has done an amazing job with this products.  Of course the downfall, they are pricey.   I have seen a lot of sites where they sell them for up to 50% off.  It does make them a whole lot more affordable.  If you want to give yourself a treat, try the blush first. Just the compact will make you fall in 

love.

What's been your latest treat for yourself?  Have you tried Rock and Republic?

NEW FOUNDATION - COVERGIRL CLEAN OIL-CONTROL/review

I have been using this foundation for the last couple of months.  It's my second bottle of the 545 warm beige.  I just bought the 560 and add a drop/pump to the warm beige because i have been self tanning.  The colors darker than the 545 just look too pink or gray for my skin.  It really has a light to medium coverage, but it feels and looks like your own skin.

PROS

• Price $4-6
• Light satin finish
• Controls the oils in the T-zone
• Doesn't look like a mask or caked on
• Good color range
• Dries to a powdery feel

CONS

• Lasts 4-5 hours
• No SPF
• Some colors are too pink, hold it up to your skin in the light
• Hard to get the foundation out without a pump

The best way I found to put this on for the best coverage is with a Mac 190 or for a lighter air brushed a soft domed kabuki brush.  i usually do the T-Zone with the 190 and the rest with a kabuki.  I just stipple the kabuki and it looks amazing.

COVERGIRL CLEAN POWDER

This does nothing at all.  It doesn't cover or set your makeup.  Two thumbs down.  That's even if you can open the top.  Pass on this.  The color range is supposed to correspond with the foundation color, but it looks way too orange if you get the same color.

Have you tried this new line yet?  How about the acne control? 

I'm thinking of trying the MUFE matte foundation come fall.  Is it good?

TOP DRUGSTORE PRODUCTS UNDER$10 - Face

These are my top face products for under $10

Foundation

Cover Girl Clean - light - medium foundation fells like your own skin

Maybelline Super Stay- for dry skin long wearing

Revlon ColorSaty- oily/dry skin med. - heavy coverage all day wear

Rimmel Stay Matte- Very light coverage, but good for oily skin

Bonnie Bell Highlighter-  Gives a beautiful shine, not glittery or sparkly, & four shades in 1

ELF All Over Color Sticks - they give you a soft dewy shimmer/highlight

Maybelline Mineral Blush - These have major staying power, a ton of product, beautiful colors

What's your #1 face product under $10?

NEW LIMITED EDITION N.Y.C. CREME BLUSH COLORS

Wild Berry

Pink Flash

I saw these from the register at CVS in one of those displays.  They came out with limited edition colors for summer.  I though both were just beautiful.  i first just got the Wild Berry because i don't think I have anything that bright.  It's really a bright orchid pink.  Then  for $3.49, how could I leave out the Pink Flash.  Sometimes I look at it and its peach and other times pink.

Here is my review of my first Creme Blush.  They are really great, and super for the hot summer days.  They also had other products, but this is all that was left.  They had to matching glosses.

Have you tried these yet?  What do you think?  What's your favorite cream blush?

MAY FAVORITES - some new stuff + swatches

FACE

Cover Girl Clean Foundation

Aziza Duo Blush ($1 store) - matte & very pigmented, good for all skin colors

ELF Matte Bronzer - matte & I use it for contouring

Cargo Blush in Louisiana- for a highlight

EYES

tokidoki e/s - Bulletto - so beautiful for brown smokey eye

Mac Paint Pot in Coral Crepe - base or on the apples of the cheeks

Mac Fluid Line in Macroviolet - as a primer for gray/purples/black

Mac Folie - in the crease w/Mac Indianwood Paint Pot for summer eye

NYX e/s in beauty Queen- beautiful royal purple

Loreal Voluminous mascara - thick & long lashes

Loreal Liquid pencil eyeliner

Lips

Loreal l/e in fairest Nude & Gilded Angel - still hate the smell, but very long wearing and smooth

Revlon Colorburst l/s in Lilac - these are super formulated l/s

Wet n Wild matte l/s in 903 - really pretty Dolly Pink & great to brighten up over a dull color

BRUSH

MAC 109 - great for putting on light or shear foundation

SWATCHES

Lipsticks top- bottom

Revlon Lilac, Loreal Fairest Nude & Gilded Pink, Wet n Wild 903

Left to Right

Aziza blush duo (1st & 2nd ones), Mac Macroviolet, Mac Folie, NYX Beauty Queen

I tried a lot of new things this month. I have some reviews coming up and some talk about bronzers!  

Have you tried any of these products? What's your hit & miss of May?

MAC TO THE BEACH - MARINE LIFE

Store: Mac.com, Macy's, Nordstrom's

COST: $26.50

3/5 Stars

This is really one of Mac's beautiful creations. It's a great design.  However, for me it's a bit too glittery. What the MA said to me is it is a highlighter at first because the gold is an over spray and then you are left with a peach and pink blush.  She had the peach part as a blush and it really looked more like a matte blush.  I will have to let you know how true that is.

I was also eyeing the cream bronzer, but that was also too glittery.  I was tempted, but the $30 price tag made me think about it.  I have so many bronzers that i already never use.  Plus, my face has been so oily lately. I'm afraid it will slip right off.

Have you bought from this collection?  What do you think of the bronzer, are they worth the price?

PRODUCT RAVE-N.Y.C. BLUSHABLE CREME STICK+ (swatch)

Store: Any drugstore or Walmart

Cost: $3.99

Color:Big Apple

This has been the biggest surprise for me because I am not a cream blush kind of girl.  I bought it after seeing hauls/reviews, and I am in love for 3 main reasons:

1. Affordable
2. Long Wearing
3. Easy to apply, no tools needed

I put it on with my finger and just pat it where I want it.  It goes on like a cream, but dries to a powder.  I took this with me to Vegas, and it lasted 6 hours, if not longer.

The tube and color look different

This is a buildable cream blush that just gives you that glowy look.  I don't put anything on top, just this. It became a favorite as soon as I put it on.

What is your favorite N.Y.C. product?

SONIA KASHUCK SYNTHETIC FLAT TOP BRUSH/review

Price: $14.99

Store: Target

I have been trying to use this brush for my foundation, but I honestly don't like it.  First, I used it with my Colorstay foundation, which is thick, but all the brush did was smear it on.  I didn't see that "flawless" face look.  Then I tried it with the Covergirl Clean foundation, which is light and not as runny, same thing.  My face looked streaky and I had bristles on my face.  Plus, it took forever to put on my foundation because the top is so small.  

I tried it for powder, bronzer, blush, but the bristles are firmly packed and it goes on way too dark or thick.  I have a set of her travel brushes, and I'm not a fan of those either.

Maybe I'm using it wrong, but I use a flat top from Coastal Scents with no problem.  The reviews on makeup alley are really good.  I'm confused?  

What do you think of Sonia Kashuk products and brushes?

LIQUID FOUNDATION PUMPS & BOTTLES

I was looking for some foundation pumps or ideas for my liquid  foundations.  I found this on Youtube.

1 oz Airless Bottles w/pumps

Where to buy on eBay.
$3.99 + $5 shipping

Today I spilled my foundation on my shirt and carpet.  I think all liquids should come with pumps.  Just for sanitary reasons, if nothing else.

Do you have any pump or liquid foundation pump or bottle dispenser tips/tricks?

Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY here.

MINI MAC HAUL/Liberty of London

I ran through Macy's and smack into Mac.  I couldn't just pass by because these were too pretty, even though some say the packaging is tacky, I just call it tacky chic.     

These two really stood out out to me.  The blush is a beauty powder blush, which I love.  They are so smooth and creamy.  Birds and Berries eyeshadow is so pigmented, which I never think the eyeshadows in the collections are.  

Prim and Proper Blush                                                                     Birds and Berries 

Prim and Proper is better on Fair to Medium skin tones for a blush and on darker skin tones, I think it's better for a highlight.  It warms the skin and looks like velvet.

Birds and Berries is so pretty.  It's this deep blue/green/gray combo.  It reminds me of what Club looks like in the pan.  I may not use it daily, but I think it's different enough to have.

I wanted some of the lipsticks, but held back.  They were too similar to what I have.  I'm trying to get only the colors I don't really have from the sooooo many collections.

What collection are you waiting for?  I'm looking forward to the summer coral collection.

RIMMEL STAY MATTE POWDER/REVIEW

Rimmel Stay Matte pressed powder in Sandstorm - $5-6

I've read some good reviews on this powder, mainly saying that it keeps oily T-zones matte.

I have to say I'm not a fan of this powder either.  It made my skin more oily, rather than keeping it matte.  

 

It's so dusty, like chalk. It flies everywhere.   I used it with brushes, a sponge, & powder puff, but it's like I never put anything on my skin.  I bought the darkest color, but it just comes out transparent.  

I think this would be good for very dry skin and f you just want to set the foundation.  It will give a dewy look to your skin. If your oily, it will make your skin look greasy.

I want something that keeps the T-zone dry, but if I wanted to brush on the  powder instead of foundation, I could. 

So the search continues.  What makes it harder is that I need something with no SPF.  I figured out after all these years of my eyes being irritated, that anything with SPF makes my eyes swell and itch.  

What do you do for sun protection if you can't use anything with SPF on your face?  

CCO-H&M-Drugstore/haul

My parents were in town, so we decided to hit up the Ontario Outlet's. 

First stop was the CCO.  There are so many great Mac products out from past collections.  They had the newest 2009 Holiday collection out too.  

Left: Highlight powder in Golden Nectar(Naked Honey col.)  Vibrant Grape (Style Warriors col.)

I wasn't interested when I first saw them at Mac, but I kept seeing vibrant grape on YT, and fell in love.  They had both the Highlight Powders, but I bought the darker one for spring/summer.  I thought it would be pretty for all over.

Next stop is H&M.  I am really into gold jewelry & these 2 gold ones were screaming for me.  I love the silver 1 too.  It's 3 rings in 1. All under $9.

This last one is a great drugstore  highlighter,  $4.  It's 4 shades of white/lavender/light pink/pink.  You can swirl them together or use them separately.  Honestly, I reach for this more than my Mac MSF's.  This isn't glittery like the Mac, it's a beautiful shimmer.  If you're fair, you could use this as a blush.

Have you seen the ads for H & M?  I love the dresses, so pretty.

What are you looking for at your CCO?

E.L.F. MASTER MAKEUP COLLECTION HAUL/ GREAT FOR TRAVEL

E.L.F.  Master Makeup collection $40 (I waited for 70%off)

From the E.F.L WEBSITE here

141 Pc Master Includes:
84	eyeshadow shades
36	lip gloss shades
6	blush shades
4	concealers
4	shimmer cream shades
4	bronzer shades
1	face brush
1	lip brush
1	duo eyeshadow applicator

I give myself challenges.  My next challenge is to take this large E.L.F. kit and use it for a week, and only this.  You know what drew me to this palette?  All the colors look like great dupes for the new Mac Collections that have out...

Right side Blush/lips/eye shadow

Center bronzer/contour/ concealer

Left eyeshadow/lips/blush 

A few swatches - which are a little powdery, but very pigmented



If I could use only this Kit, then I'm going to take only this on my trip with me.  It would be so easy  to pack and I have tons of colors to choose from.  More than I would if I brought my more expensive makeup, and blush, concealer, contour,  and lips included in 1 closed package.

Do you think I can do it?  Have you tried one of these kits?  What do you think of E.L.F. Studio Line?

NEW COVER GIRL Clean Foundation & Ultimate Finish Foundation

I did a blog post review on the Revlon Photo Ready & Maybelline Superstay  foundations.  The beautiful Becky, from Everyday Makeup by Becky, suggested the New CoverGirl Clean foundation for me to try.

I also saw this Ultimate Finish Foundation that is supposed to be a concealer, foundation, and powder finish in one.  It reminded me of the Mac one, so I thought it would be easy to use.

Initial thoughts are awesome for the New Clean foundation and 50/50 on the Ultimate finish.

So expect a full review, but I know that this week at CVS and Rite-Aid the Clean line is $4.  What a great price.  I tried the old formula, which was watery & scented, this is different, way better.  Make sure you get the new bottle because the old one is still out there.

Ok, I have always walked past CoverGirl for too long, what should I try?  What about the Clean Powder?

BARGAIN ALERT- DRUGSTORE Haul/Big Lots 50% off

It's that time of year when Big Lot gets its Drugstore shipment and they sell it 50-70% off.  They had tons of products.  I picked up a few things last week, but have to go see what other things I find.

We are planning a trip, so I foud this new travel makeup bag-$8.00 after discount...

I have a pretty zebra print travel case, but its a tall square one, this is flatter.  I wanted to see which I like better, or takes up less room.  It's plastic, which makes it easy to clean.  The bag came with 2 travel containers.

All of these were 1/2 off too.  $2/nail polish, $3 Rimmel foundation, which I got darker in case I get some color on my face, $5 Loreal blush, which I love and have to do a good review and swatch of.

If you have a Big Lots around you, it's a good time to go see what they have.  There were thing s I wanted to try from the drugstore, but didn't really want to pay full price for, so I'm going to get them to try.

What products have you bought that you really liked, but thought you would hate?

MAYBELLINE DREAM MATTE POWDER/review

I am on the hunt for a setting powder.  I have the Mac Studio Fix powder, but it's so, so.  I bought the Maybelline Dream Matte powder on a BoGO, and really don't like it at all.

REASONS WHY:

-No coverage at all

-Doesn't mattify the face

-Looks shiny which turns out to look oily, then be oily

-Doesn't apply evenly

-Very powdery, powder everywhere when you put a brush into it

So, I am back on the hunt.  I really think powder is one of those things you could find in a drugstore brand.  I want something that could be a setting powder with a light hand or just a powder foundation with the right brush.  

Any thoughts or suggestions?  

What's are your is your drugstore product that you will never buy high end?

REVLON PHOTOREADY & MAYBELLINE SUPER STAY FOUNDATION/review

I think if you have the right foundation, your makeup looks great every time.  I have been using  Revlon Colorstay forever, but I decided to stray.

Revlon PhotoReady and Maybelline 24 Hr. Super Stay are the newest ones I've tried. They are very different, except that they are both long wearing and great drugstore foundations

Revlon PhotoReady- $13.99 This foundation is supposed to be our answer to HD drugstore foundation.

PROS-

I think it's better than MUFE HD, goes on better    

Matte                                                                                                  

Easy to blend                                                                

Med- full coverage without looking caked on

No smell

Great pump(I wonder if I could reuse the bottle?)

Great for oily skin/No breakouts

CONS-

Not good for pictures, gives a white cast on the face

Glitter in the foundation can be seen, especially in light/sunlight

Glitter is still visible if you don't clean skin good

Hard to shake the foundation, it separates(look at picture)

Maybelline 24hr. Super Stay- $10.99 This foundation promises 24 Hr. no transfer, flexible, heat & sweat resistant.  Made for all skin types

PROS-

Comparable to Nars Sheer Glow

Satin Finish

Feels like you have a built in primer

Blendable

Good color choices

Medium Coverage

Long Lasting

Makes the skin look light/luminous

Great for dry skin

CONS-

If you have oily skin this will break you out/feels greasy

Bottle pours fast/waisting product

Does not last more than 6 hours

Not sweat or heat resistant

Foundation doesn't sink into the skin easily

The reason I reviewed these together is because they are both really good, but the complete opposites.

I love the Maybelline Super Stay better because it makes my skin look great.  The problem is that I have oily skin and a super oily T-zone and it broke me out. I think it has a primer built in making it feel greasy. The PhotoReady is matte, long lasting, and stays put on the T-zone, but the glitter drives me nuts.  It's not chunky, but it's there.

When I'm going out and want to look glowing, but take nice pictures, I use the Maybelline Super Fit.  For everyday it's the PhotoReady or Colorstay.

What is your experience?  Your favorite foundation/drugstore foundation?