Pixi Eye Bright Liner Review

Hey guys!

On my last Outfit of the day post I mentioned that I was trying out nude eyeliner. The one I bought is Pixi Eye Brightner No.1 Nude, it can be found at Target for $16 USD. Is not cheap at all. I was looking for something no more than $7 but I could not find anything. Stila, and Tarte both carry nude liners but they are all around the same price. Since I was already at Target, I decided to just grab it.

The description "This waterproof precision inner rim liner is designed to brighten eyes and make eye whites look whiter, wide-awake and bigger."

The liner it is waterproof, it stays on all day on the waterline, I was very impressed for that. Unfortunately you don't get much product .

It almost looks like concealer when it is swatched.

It is not the most pigmented eyeliner and you have to swipe it across your waterline a few times to get some color onto your waterline. As for the "opening your eyes" I don't think it does wonders, I would use it for more dramatic looks because it maskes your eyes look more sultry, but for everyday I will stick with my shimmery innercorner highlight. Comparison photo below. top no eyeliner, bottom with eyeliner.

Also, if you wear like to wear eyeliner in your waterline, there is pretty much no use for this.

Overall I would not repurchase this again, mostly because I don't usually do very dramatic makeup.

Xo

Monica

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush

Hey guys!
I apologize for the lack of posts this week, I've spent a lot of time online shopping, without actually hitting the checkout button. So today I have a review on these new blushes from Maybelline. They are part of their collection for 2012.There are 10 different shades. The ones I have are Peach Satin and Rose Petal. I like that they have a nice variety of colors to choose from. They vary from light pinks, burgundy, brown and very bright colors. These are available at your drugstores for around $6-8 USD. Maybelline describes the product as "Lightweight like a powder, yet melts seamlessly into skin like a cream."

L to R: Rose Petal, Peach Satin

Packaging wise is very simple and compact which I adore because I can throw them in my bag and take them with me everywhere I go, and touch up my makeup up in case I need to do it.
When you first get these they will have a dome shape like the mac mineralize blushes. But the shape is gone once you dip in your fingers. I think they are a little bit hollow. Texture wise is so interesting. I have never even heard of something like this, they seem like cream blush but they really aren't. The best way I can describe their texture is play-doh because you can move the product in the pan around without actually transferring much of it into your fingers. These apply better with your fingers. Here is a swatch.

L to R: Peach Satin, Rose Petal

As you can see Rose Petal is very Sheer, and Peach Satin is the opposite. If you are interested in these I would suggest getting the brighter and darker shades to get better color payoff. However you can still build up the color without any problems at all. These don't cake because they are very light. I love the satin finish they have. I do like them and reccomend them and wear about 6 hrs.

I really can't compare them to the Dream Mousse Blushes, I have never tried. them.

Xo
Monica

Revlon Lip Butters vs L'Oreal Balm

Hey Guys!

So there are a bunch of new products at the drugstore lately. The Revlon Lip Butters have been very hyped, and recently L'Oreal released a new product "Balm" that is their version of the Lip Butter.Both brands promise to deliver a hint of color while moisturizing and improving your lips. The Revlon Lip Butters come in 21 shades while the L'Oreal Balm come in 8. Both retail for around $7 USD.

Revlon Lip Butters in Creme Brulee, Tutti Frutti, Cherry Tart

L'Oreal Balm in Rose Elixir, Caring Coral

What I inmediately noticed is that the Revlon Lip Butters have different finishes, some of them are frosty, shimmery, and cream and I love the color selection, there are a couple of nudes, very bold colors and darker colors as well. The L'Oreal Balm all have cream a cream finish and they all are more wearable colors. As for the smell, Revlon Lip Butter, even tough they all have food names they don't really smell at all. Balm has as slight vanilla scent very yummy I must say.

I have to say that I prefer the packaging of the Balm it looks luxurious! I'm not really a fan or the Revlon "quilted" design. The cap colors vary depending on the shade that you get. So here I have some swatches.

On the left side are the Revlon Lip Butters, on the right the L'Oreal Balm.

I was very disappointed at the pigmentation of the Balm, it's basically clear lip gloss, and for $7 USD is very expensive. Also another thing that bothered me is the greasiness of it, it doesn't feel waxy like balm but greasy like oil on your lips. On the other hand the lip butters are very creamy and very light, but they don't really moisturize your lips. It is basically lipstick and not a tinted lipbalm.

So don't buy the L'Oreal Balm, it is a waste of money, rather get yourself a Lip Butter!

Xo
Monica

MAC Dazzlesphere 4

Hey Guys!
First I want to wish you a merry Christmas!
So today I'm going to review the MAC Dazzlephere #4. I received this as a birthday gift from my boss.
This set is part of their of their holiday collection, and comes with 2 dazzleglasses and 2 cremesheens. Like Venus and Rags to Riches being the dazzleglases, and Fashion Schoop and Petite Indulgange are the cremesheens.

Fashion Scoop, Rags to Riches, Like Venus, Petite Indulgence

As you can see from the swatches they are sheer, but I like sheer glosses. I especially like the cremesheens a lot, I do like the way the dazzleglases look, but after they wear off the glitter translates everywhere into your face and it's a little bit annoying. But I do like this set especially to try new shades of glosses!

At first I thought that the cremesheens looked very similar to Pink Pop and Peach Petal from Revlon.

Revlon Swatches

As you can see that Fashion Schoop and Peach Petal are not really dupes. I think Petite Indulgence and Pink Pop are very similar.

Overall I'm really enjoying this set, I have been using it alot since the colors are great for everyday.

Xo
Monica

Charlotte Ronson A Perfect Kiss Lip Gloss Review

Hey guys!
Today I'm going to review this lipgloss I recently bought from Sephora. It's the "A perfect Kiss Lip Gloss" from Charlotte Ronson. This collection it is only sold at Sephora, the gloss retails for $14 USD.The color I have is called "Tessa" I would describe it as a blue pink with golden shimmer. The tube is very cute a heart shaped, which is very original and cute, considering all tubes are just circular.
I always find myself attracted to this kind of pink glosses. When I first saw it I tough that it was the same as the Revlon super lustrous Lipgloss in Pink pop. Which in the tube they look the same.
But once swatched it is a completely different story. On the left it is Tessa, and on the right it's Pink Pop.
As you can see, Pink Pop is very pigmented and opaque. While Tessa it is sheer.

At first sight it looks like you are getting a lot of product, but you are getting half of a MAC lipglass. 2.8 gr. So it is more on the expensive side. But regarless of that I like this gloss, it is non sticky and has a slight citrus scent. Best of all is very shiny, and very natural looking. So yes, I would recommend this product.

Xo
Monica

Forget me Nots

Hey guys
I realized a couple of days ago that I have not been posting nail polish swatches. I went through this phase where I was obsessed with it. I slep, ate, and lived for nail polish back then. But it has calmed down a lot!
So today's swatch is one of my newest ones, I bought this during the summer, and I've only worn it twice.

Essie Forget me Nots

Like all essie polishes the quality is great, but not the best. It is a cream, so there is no shimmer, nor glitter nor iridescent sparkle. It is a little sheet, so you have to apply two coats.

I don't think I would not recommended this one unless you like very bright shades, almost neon-like.

Xo
Monica

Maybelline Baby Lips

Hey guys!

So, Maybelline Baby Lips is a sort of new product from Maybelline. I mean sort of new because the lip balms have been available in Asia for a while.

I only have one "pink punch" out of 6 available shades.

I currently have a good 8 lip balms go to through so I didn't see the need for more, and I was just too curious to try out at least one of them. So here is a photo of my bare lips.

So pink punch is a bright pink, and it's perfect for a hint of color. here is after applying the product.

I honestly love the color, is bright, but because it is sheer it looks flattering. The spf 20 is a plus. Not many lipbalms have high spf, many people do not find it important, but for me that my lips burn when I'm out and about it is very important.

It's cheap, around $3dlls, and there is a lot of product in the tube.
I do like them and recommend them for anyone who doesn't like lipstick, this wont your your lips feeling flaky and dry after it wears off.

Xo

Monica

Benefit Feelin' Cheeky! Minis (Review & Swatches)

Hey guys!
So on my August favorites post one of my readers requested for swatches of Benefit High Beam. I decided to do swatches and review this benefit set.

Available only at Sephora for $15 USD. Has 3 mini bottles of the Benefit Posietint, High Beam, and Benetint. I bought it because I have always been curious about Benetint and Highbeam, but since they are expensive ($29 e/a full size bottle) I just never tried them.

Swatches Posietint, High Beam, Benetint

Swatches blended.

So this is how my face looks without Highbeam. Very dull and not glowy at all.
I only apply 3-4 dots on the highest points of my cheekbones and 2 on my nose... and blend with my fingers.
Now my skin is glowing!!

So my individual review
Posietint: Is a poppy pink. It has a gel-like texture. This shows up really nice on my skin, it gives me a natural flush. On my lips it is very drying, even if I apply lip balm beforehand. So I like this one. Long wearing. The downside is that it has to be blended very quickly otherwise it will just leave stains on your cheeks.

High Beam: Holly grail material here!!, it's an iridescent white with pink shimmers, very lovely. it gives a beautiful healthy glow. Like Posietint it's a gel-like consistency. Last all day long!

Benetint: So when I first saw it I thought "liquid blood", it's a rose almost red color. Unlike the previous two this is the only that has a liquid consistency, and also the only one that has smell. It smells like roses. I have to say this is my least favorite one of the set. It doesn't show up on my NC25 skin. It's also very drying on the lips, and it just looks like it drank kool-aid and stained my lips with it. Same with Posietint, it has to be blended once you apply it.

Hope you guys enjoyed!

Xo
Monica

NEW: NYC Blushable Creme Stick in Golden Radiance

Hey guys!
During the week I stopped by my local Rite Aid, which I hadn't visited in like 3 months. I just have not been buying makeup at all (and my bank account loves it). I could not help to notice a display of NYC with 2 blushable cream sticks, and when i read they were limited edition I did not even think it twice to get it. I missed the 2 limited edition blushes. So i tought that i was now going to be like one of those cool girls from youtube with my LE cream stick.

So Basically they are 2 new, One in Bronze Radiance (a shimmery bronzer) and Golden Radiance. I only got Golden Radiance.

So the tube looks like this...

So Sparkly! ♥Only one Swipe ( it would be a pretty eyeshadow color!)This is what it looks like when it's Blended

It's obviously not a blush but a high lither. I do love the way it looks. The first time I used it I did not liked too much due to the glitter because if you have oily skin and pores can make your skin look extra oily. But that time I applied it from the tube directly to my face. I do think that it is better to first get some product on your finger and then apply it to the top of your cheeckbones.

I used it today and this is what it looks on my skin. I paired it with elf Pink Passion Blush.

You can see how it illuminates my cheekbones. I would recommend it for people how have yellow undertones, it will really flatter their skin tone.

You can find this new blushable cream stick at any drugstores!

Xo
Monica

Essie Sand Tropez

This nail polish was released with their French Affair collection. It was the only one that cuaught my eye because the other ones looked too similar to other ones I had.

I think it's a very interesting color, it's a nudish brown and looks like it has a little bit of a grey tint to it. Very pretty, and ideal for everyday. However it's very sheer, needs 3 coats and does not apply evenly.

Xo
Monica

ELF Studio Cream Eyeshadows

A while back I showed in a video a haul from elf. I bought these eyeshadows because I read good reviews on them. Besides that, I had been thinking of buying a Paint Pot from MAC of a Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow from Benfit for a while, but I just couldn't get myself to spend a lot of money on those.

L to R: Dawn, Eggplant

Only ordered two in Dawn (shimmering champagne/taupe) and Eggplant. I'm very pleased with the quality of these eyeshadows. I have very oily lids and nothing lasts on me if I don't use a primer. I have worn both of them without primer and they have lasted me 8 hours which is amazing considering that they only cost $3.

Swatches: Eggplant, Dawn

As you can see they are very pigmented. I recommend applying them with your fingers, they give a better application than using a brush because the warmth of your skin melts the product a little bit a makes it easier to blend.
One thing I do not like about the eyeshadow it's their packaging. It's too bulky! I would have prefer a more simple pot.

Xo
Monica

Sinful Colors Innocent

I while back a saw a pretty display of Sinful Colors at Walgreens and this one color caught my attention. I don't have a lot of green polishes, and this one caught my attention. The color is Innocent. Since I bought it when it was very late and dark the color was off, so the next day when i was going to use it the color looked different, but still used it anyways.It is a yellowish green, it is not something very common, but it remided me of OPI Who the Shrek Are You?, which I don't have, so I asked my good friend google, and turns out they are dupes!
The Following Blog has pictures side by side so you can compare them!
http://rastalovenails.blogspot.com/2011/02/comparison-between-sinfulcolors.html

So if you were thinking of buying the OPI you can save big time by buying the Sinful Colors One!

Xo
Monica

Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara

My friends, I have found a new holy grail item. It's the new mascara from Clinique. I have never had any luck with Clinique products, they always made me break out, but this is awesome.

I love the cute packaging. It is specially designed for your bottom lashes. I bet a lot of us tried to apply mascara on our bottom lashes with any regular mascara. The problem with that is that the brushes tend to be bigger and (at least my) lower lashes are smaller... the results... a lot of mascara ends up on your skin. Another of the problems is that regular mascara smudges and it makes it look like you didn't use any concealer, and you end up with panda eyes. The Clinique bottom lash mascara it $10 dlls for .07 fl oz, it is available in two colors. Black and Brown. Although it is not waterproof, it doesn't smudge!It features a tiny brush that is actually great, it allow you to even get those baby lashes in the inner and outer corner of your eyes. You can even use it on your upper lashes for those lashes you big brushes never seems to reach.

Here I have the Rimmel sexy curves wand so you can compare the difference.

I think it makes a huge difference in my lashes!

BeforeAfter

It really opens up your eyes!

Love it, definitely would repurchase.

Xo
Monica

Stila Trendsetting in Tokyo

I while back I purchased this from Sephora, It's only $10 and I couldn't resist. There were a total of 5 little palettes, and this one was the one that Stood out to me the most. I felt that the color combination on this palette is the best out of the others, like they go perfect together. It consists of 4 eyeshadows (a gold, pink, matte blue and a sparkly black) and a convertible lip and cheek color. This was my first Stilla purchase and so far I'm happy with it.

From top to Bottom and Left to Right. Sake, Kawai, Shibuya, Peace Sign, Sakura(peace sign, shibuya, kawai, sake)

I love how kawai and sake are so wearable, and appropriate for work and school and you can pump the look using peace sign or shibuya as eyeliner. However, I have to say that peace sign and shibuya aren't as pigmented, and shibuya is very hard to blend, something that is common with matte shadows, the others have no problem with blend-ability.Sakura convertible lip and cheek color

As for the convertible color, I love the color, it's a cool toned bright pink, but on the cheeks it gives a nice flush, I like to wear only on the apples of my cheeks and top it off with a matter powder blush and it gives me perfect doll-like cheeks. I don't like it on my lips because it is not as moisturizing as other lipglosses.

Overall I recommend to check it out!.

Xo
Monica