January Beauty Favorites

          Hi everyone! So I am trying to start a new series on this blog. As you can tell from the title, it will be my favorites! Hopefully I can keep this up all year :). Here is how it will go, I will be posting pictures along with a short description as to why it is my favorite for the month! Hope you enjoy!

Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, herbs, and rosewater

Not only is this cheap, it smells great! I love that it refreshes my skin and make my makeup look flawless all day long!

Olay Pro X

Let me just say, I can't believe I did not buy this earlier. My skin has been great after using this product! I haven't gotten any breakouts since using this, and when I do, they are simple and easy (not volcanoes and dwell for 2 weeks). 

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles in Brightener

I have been using this product for quite some time. After taking the sponge tip off, I found out you get way more product and it goes on WAY better with your fingers! It never creases or goes into fine lines for me, and always banishes my under eye dark circles!

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Eyeliner 

Physician Formula makes the best eyeliners! They are super pigmented and never smudge on me! I use this everyday in my lower lash line and my brown eyes POP! This only comes in a set of 3 by Physicians Formula, but the other colors you get you can use.

Lorac Behind the Scenes Eyeshadow Primer

This primer is one of the best eye primers I have tried. Don't get me wrong, I love my ELF $1 one, but this primer literally glues eyeshadow to my lids (no matter high end or drugstore). It won't hide discoloration, but it will make you eyeshadow stay put for 8+ hours!

ELF Baked Blush in Pinktastic

Honestly, I haven't stopped using this blush since I have gotten it last year. I actually use it as a highlighter, and it looks BEAUTIFUL.

Covergirl Cheekers in True Plum

Like the ELF Baked Blush, I have not stopped wearing this since last December. It is the perfect color for winter, being all rosy pink. It is also extremely pigmented, so I suspect this will last me quite a while. 

Sally Hansen Colorfast Tint + Moisture Balm in Blackberry Honey

When i picked this up at the CVS Clearance sale, I was't expecting much. In fact, when I first got it, I didn't like it all that much. But, it grew on me. It moisturize, it's pigmented, and it last way longer than a balm ever should. I love it!

          So that will do it for my favorites this month. Yes, I know not very many, but hopefully February will yield more favorites for you all to look at!

If you have favorites for the month of January, let me know in the comments! Would love to hear about them! :)

Until next time...

-Cindy

Review: Coastal Scents Forever Blush

Coastal Scents Forever Blush in Poetic

          Hi everyone! Another review today, this time on the Coastal Scents Forever Blush in Poetic! Poetic is a mauve/dusty rose color. I actually bought this from a blog sale, but you can find these on the Coastal Scents website for $7.95 for 10 grams of product. For the amount of product you get, I think the price is great! According to the website, there are 18 colors in the line. Whether or not this color is also in their blush palettes, I have no idea. I tried to find out on their website, but it did not say. I believe you can only find these online.

          Let's take a look before we start digging in!

          According to the packaging, the product is described as:

"The perfectly-pigmented powder blush for a long-lasting rush of color. Complete with a mirror, the color-packed compact will go a long way."

          Do I believe this product is perfectly-pigmented? Yes!
          Do I believe this product is long-lasting? Yes! If 13 hours isn't long-lasting, I don't know what is.

          Some interesting facts about this product:

1. There are parabens in this product (methylparaben and propylparaben).
2. Coastal Scents does not test on animals, according to their website. However, the blush was made in China, and China is notorious for testing on animals. 

          As for my thoughts on this blush, I love it! I am so very impressed by the quality of it. It is highly pigmented to the point you can put on too much if you don't tap off your brush before applying. Though it is extremely pigmented, it is fairly easy to blend (to blend around not blend off). As for staying power, it has been over 13 hours since I have applied this blush and I still see it on my cheeks. The packaging is also great! It's simple yet there's a window for you to see the product. You also get a mirror, which isn't too big, but big enough for you to apply your blush properly. I honestly don't have anything negative to say about this blush except a few nit picky things like how it smells weird. Don't get me wrong, you can't actually smell it unless you put your nose in the product, but it does smell like chemicals. I also don't like that it isn't very accessible as you can only buy it online (I think). 

          So to summarize:

Pros:

• Highly pigmented
• Long-lasting
• Blends easily

Cons:

• Weird smell (only if you put your nose in it)
• You can only buy online

My overall rating: 98/100

I know it's close to 100, but for a product to get 100, there needs to be no cons whatsoever! But A+ is pretty good, yeah?

Anyways, if you have tried any Coastal Scents blushes, I would love to know you thoughts! Leave them in the comments below!

Until next time...
-Cindy
         

Unboxing PINCHme #4

          Hi everyone! Another PINCHme! Yay! I swear I will start to review some of these items soon. Until then, quick post about my recent PINCHme box.

Shea Moisture: Organic Lavender and Wild Orchid Shea Butter Soap

Revlon by Marchesa Box of Files

Killer Queen by Katy Perry

          So if you get PINCHme, I would love to know what sample you picked up!

Until next time...

-Cindy

Review: Wet n Wild Megaslicks Balm Stain

Wet n Wild Megaslicks Balm

          Hi everyone! This will be my first impression review on the Wet n Wild Megaslicks Balm Stain moisturizng lip colour. I have them in 2 colors so far, Pinky Promise (#128) and Lady and the Vamp (#124). Pinky Promise is a sparkly light pink. Lady and the Vamp is a deep berry color.  There are a total of 6 shades in the line. These retail at $2.99 for 3 grams of product at Walgreens. You can occasionally buy Wet n Wild products buy 1 get 1 50% off. When I got these, they came with a $1 off coupon, but not buy one get 1 50% off so they ended up being $1.99 each.

           According to the Wet n Wild website, they describe the product as this:

"Now you can amp up your lips with one stick for a kissable pout in no time. To keep you pucker-perfect, these all NEW lip balm stains glide on smoothly while conditioning the lips. Enriched with Acai Palm Oil, this amazing formula forms a protective shield on the lips to prevent feathering. Complete with six great shades and continuous moisture, the formula leaves the lips with a unique minty, cooling sensation. No matter how long the kiss, this balm will last and last."

          As for the claims on this product, as made by the Wet n Wild website:
          Do I believe this product forms a protective shield on the lips to prevent feathering? Yes!
          Do I believe it provides continuous moisture? No, the moisture runs out after 2 hours.
          Do I believe the formula leaves the lips with a unique minty, cooling sensation? Not really, the minty is not a new thing. It's in the Revlon balm stains, it's in the Maybelline Dr. Rescue, it's in Burt's Bees Beeswax Lip Balm...etc. It also wears off after a good 20-30 minutes. It is more noticeable when you first apply the product.
          Do I believe this balm will last and last (no matter how long the kiss)? No. It will definitely transfer so after your kiss you will be left with less product on your lips.

          Some interesting facts about this product:

1.  Wet n Wild DOES NOT test on animals. However, these products are made in China, and China is known to test on animals....
2. There are no parabens in this product, according to the ingredients list.

          Here is a close up of the product I will be reviewing down below:

Lady and the Vamp

Pinky Promise

Swatches

          As for my thoughts on this product, I absolutely love it for the price point! For only $2.99 it is WAY cheaper than the Revlon Balm Stains that retail for $8.99 at the drugstore. The two colors I have are very pigmented and moisturizing upon first application. You will also feel a minty feeling at first too. However, after a few minutes of application, the product will settle in the lines of your lips and cling to dry spots. You will notice the product on your lips, but this feeling will fade as the product fades. After about 2 hours, pigmentation fades quite a bit and so does the moisturizing factor. You can make it to 3 hours, simply by not eating or drinking anything. However, the balm starts to get patchy. For Pinky Promise, I didn't notice it staining my lips unless I don't eat or drink anything. Part of it might be that it's a lighter color. Most lip stains that are lighter in color tend to stain less well than the darker ones. Lady and the Vamp lasted a lot longer and even after showering and washing my fast, my lips were stained a bright red till the next morning. These definitely will not work as lip balm to help chapped lips. After this product faded, my lips looked and felt more chapped than before. The product does transfer, so if you are eating or drinking be aware that your balm will fade even faster.

          So to summarize:
Pros:

• Cheap
• Pigmented and moisturizing (upon first application)
• Does not feather
• Packaging is great! Cap will click close until other lip crayons/balms.

Cons

• Fades easily
• Transfers
• The lighter colors may not stain your lips
• Can get patchy
• Did not work as a balm

My Overall rating: 65/100... The only thing saving this score is how well this product performs upon first application. First application: 95/100, Wear and Staying Power: 20/100.

If you have tried this new product, let me know! What do you think? 

Review: Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo

@NYMBrands #NYMCleanFreak

           Hi everyone! This will be my review of the Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo. I bought this from Ulta, but I have inspired from Influenster's Violet VoxBox to purchase this product. This product retails for $5.99 for 7 ounces, however, the Not Your Mother's brand will go Buy 1 Get 1 50% off at Ulta so it may be even cheaper if you pick up a second product from the line during the sale! There is 7 ounces in this product which is how much dry shampoos usually contain (give or take). Conveniently, this also comes in a travel size.

          According to the packaging, this is how Not Your Mother's describe the product:

"I know you're busy keeping up with the social life! So don't waste precious time in the bathroom, just use CLEAN FREAK. Get that perfect hair (and the perfect guy!) before all the other girls. Expect more room on your social calendar because this salon formula dry shampoo will have you and your hair ready for a night out on the town."

          These are the directions on how to use the product:

"Application: Spray generously on roots and throughout hair. Brush through to diffuse powder and watch it absorb any excess oils. Style as desired and enjoy your newly freshened hair." 

          These are the claims on the product:

Instant Results:

• Absorbs excess oils
• Cleans without water
• Lite matte finish

          Based on the claims, do I think it absorbs excess oils? Yes!

          Do I think this product cleans without water? No! This is probably the dumbest claim I have ever read on any product. First off, you can't just coat your hair in a product and call it clean. Ever try soaking a pot? Just because you put dish washing detergent in the pot does not make it clean! Also, you don't clean your hair with water. Try putting shampoo in it and not washing it. 

         Do I think it leaves a lite matte finish? Not that I have noticed, but it doesn't leave a white cast!

         As for my thoughts on this product, I think it works great, but only under certain conditions. If you run your fingers through your hair to try to diffuse the dry shampoo, you will end up with no results. In fact, when I do that with my hair, it looks more oily and feels more oily than before the dry shampoo. Funny thing is, the same thing happens when I use a brush. Somehow it just clumps my hair together. The only way I get this product to work like it is suppose to is if I spray it on my roots and don't touch my hair for 5 minutes. Then, I brush it through. I should also say, NO WHITE CAST! No matter how much you put in your hair. The only thing I don't like about this product is the smell. There is some type of fragrance that reminds me of citrus, but it doesn't smell very well. Thankfully, the smell does not linger. I also don't like that crazy claims the brand makes. I will start with the less ridiculous one first. This product is very quick to use, but saving time in the bathroom? No, the only time I save time is when my hair is freshly washed from the night before and I don't require the product at all. The other ridiculous claim is that it cleans. If it cleans, then why do I not replace this with my shampoo? Exactly, it doesn't really clean. It just absorbs the oils because it doesn't cleanse your hair of the oils or anything your hair my have encountered in the environment: dirt, dust, etc. Other than that, I think this product does work!

So to summarize:

Pro:

1. Absorbs oils
2. Cheap
3. Comes in travel size
4. No white cast

Cons:

1. Clumps hair when you run through with fingers/brush
2. Ridiculous claims

My Overall Rating: 90/100

If you have tried this product, let me know what you think! Have you tried anything else from the Not Your Mother's Line?

If you are interested more in the Not Your Mother's Line, here are some helpful links!
NYM Website
NYM Facebook
NYM Twitter
NYM Pinterest

Until next time...
-Cindy

Winter Makeup Haul!

          Hi everyone! Today I come with a very exciting post: a makeup haul! These are my favorite videos to watch on youtube and by far my favorite blogs to read about. I love seeing what other people find and pick out. Please keep in mind, by no means am I bragging about what I have. Most of these items I got on sale (thanks CVS) and/or by using coupons. This is also an accumulation of the past 4 months, so by no means did I buy all this at the same time! As always I will have prices and swatches below. Enjoy!

Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, herbs, and Rosewater - $5.60

Retails for $7, but I had a 20% off Ulta Coupon

Mario Badescu Drying Lotion - $13.60

Ulta 20% Off Coupon

Lumene Vitamin C Kit - $2.99

PROx by Olay Holiday Beauty Kit - $20.98

Target Clearance

Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo - $4.79

Retails for $5.99, but I had a 20% off Ulta coupon

Dove -$3.94

bareMinerals Well-Rested Trio- $5

This retails for $15, however I had a birthday $10 off coupon to Ulta

Rimmel London Lasting Finish 25Hr Foundation in True Ivory (#103) -$1.99

CVS 75% Off Clearance

Coty Airspun Loose Face Powder - $1.87

CVS 75% Off Clearance 

NYX Mosaic Powder in Highlighter - $4.00

Buy 1 get 1 50% and $3.50 Off coupon from Ulta

Covergirl Cheeks in True Plum (#185)-$4.44

Stila Portrait of a Perfect Eye - $10

Cyber Monday Ulta Deal

L.A. Colors Eyeshadow Palette in Moody Nudes  -$2.99

Smashbox Wondervision Mega Palette - $39

On Sale at Ulta for $39

(Sorry no swatch, this palette is massive! However, if you would like me to do a review I am more than happy to!)

(I can't take a picture for you because I dismantled the set giving half to my sister)

Tarte - $19... yes that's right. There's a story behind this.

I order the Tarte Thoughtful Treasures, which was this:

And they sent me the other palatte/gift set instead :)

Wet n Wild Deluxe Eye Collection - $4.99

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Purple Velvet (#623A)

No idea what price because it was a gift

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Matte Brown (# 260)- $7.29

Revlon Colorlinks - $2.24 each

Buy 1 get 1 50% off at Rite Aid

Colors: Oyster (#20), Taupe (#60), Peacock (#150), Periwinkle (#140), Lilac (#90), Plum (#110)

Urban Decay Stardust Eyeshadow in Retrograde -$2.29

Got this off of Hautelook for $4, and I had a $10 off any purchase coupon

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Pencil in Ransom - $2.29

Got this off of Hautelook for $4, and I had a $10 off any purchase coupon

Tarte Stop and Stare Set - $21.60

So it was on sale for $27, then I used a 20% off Ulta coupon.

I've been selling parts of this set off on ebay, so I don't have an actual photo

Revlon Colorbrust Lacquer Lip Balm in Coquette and Vivacious - $4.63

Buy 1 get 1 50% off and a $5 off total purchase at Ulta

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain -$2.37 each

CVS 75% Off Clearance

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters

Provocative $8.29 

(Yes this was a full price one)

Sorbet -$2.61 

Rite Aid 40% Off Revlon and $2 Off Coupon

Wild Watermelon -$2.61 

Rite Aid 40% Off Revlon and $2 Off Coupon

Sugar Plum - $3.39

Walgreens 40% off Revlon along with a $2 off coupon

Creme Brulee -$2.61 

Rite Aid 40% Off Revlon and $2 Off Coupon

Wet n Wild MegaLast Lip Color in Cherry Bomb (#918D) - $1.50

Buy 2 for $3 from CVS

Wet n Wild MegaLast Lip Color in Bare it All (#902C) - $1.50

Buy 2 for $3 from CVS

Wet n Wild Fergie Perfect Pout Lip Color in Fuchsianista (#A039)

Wet n Wild Lip Pencil in Berry Red - $0.59

Rite Aid 40% Off Wet n Wild

Maybelline Color Elixir by Color Sensational in Petal Plush (#100)- $8.09

10% off at Rite Aid (plus a loadable $5 coupon with a $12 purchase)

Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Gloss (#300)- $6.47

10% off at Rite Aid (plus a loadable $5 coupon with a $12 purchase)

Maybelline Baby Lips Electro Collection in Oh Orange (#85)- $3.41

10% Off at Rite Aid (plus a loadable $5 coupon with a $12 purchase)

Maybelline Baby Lips Dr. Rescue Medicated Balm in Soothing Sorbet and Berry Soft

Soft Lips Pearl Gloss - $1.99

From Grocery Outlet

Sally Hansen Colorfast in Blackberry Honey - $1.25

CVS 75% Off Clearance

Covergirl Lip Perfection -Plum Twist -$3.65

CVS 50% Off Clearance and $1 off coupon from Covergirl

Loreal Le Gloss in Florid Pink (#252) and Pucker Up Pink (#250) -$3.99 each

Loreal Colour Riche Lipstick in The Queen's Kiss (#286) - $1.99

From Grocery Outlet

Nicole by OPI in A Pinker Shade of Pale -$1.99

CVS 75% Off Clearance

Rimmel London Metal Rush in Gold Save the Queen (#70)-$1.99

Sally Hansen Nail Growth Miracle in Precious Pearl (#4026-07) - $1.62

CVS 75% Off Clearance

Sally Hansen Diamond Strength in Antique Bronze (#430) and Royal Romance (#440)- $1.37 each

CVS 75% off Clearance

Loreal Nail Color in Penthouse Pink (#104) - $1.99

From Grocery Outlet

Sinful Colors Professional in Glided (#1383)- $1.99

Sinful Colors in Triple Platinum (#1401)-$1.99

Loreal Colour Riche Nail Lingerie in Chanteau You Go- $1

From Dollar Tree

Revlon Nail Art #D Jewel WildFLOWERS in About A Pearl (#01)-$1.50

From Grocery Outlet

Wonderstruck by Taylor Swift - $19.99

From TJ Maxx

Paris Hilton in Paris - $4

From TJ Maxx

Victoria Rollerball (I don't know price because it was a gift)

Real Techniques Setting Brush - $6.39 

Ulta 20% Off Coupon

Ulta Sample Bag from Cyber Monday

Random Ulta Samples

Random Ulta Samples

Best of Smashbox samples: Free Gift with Purchase

Gain Sample

Ponds Luminous Finish BB+ Sample

Rogue By Rihanna Sample

Killer Queen by Katy Perry Sample

Celestial Tea Samples

         This was quite a post! Anyways, if I left out any information, please let me know! This is very picture heavy and I do miss things. Please, again, I am not bragging in any sort of way, just thought you might like to see what I like to buy and what I tend to gravitate towards! 

If you have hauled anything recently, I would love to know!! Also if there is anything you would like me to review, leave it in the comments below! 

Until next time...

-Cindy