CoverGirl NatureLuxe Collection: Liquid Silk Foundation & Gloss Balm

Foundation Grade: A-
Gloss Balm Grade: B-

I'm sure you've noticed loads of new CoverGirl products pouring through the cosmetics aisles of your local drugstores. Today's review is all about the Liquid Silk Foundation ($12.99 for 1 oz) and Gloss Balm ($7.49 for 0.07 oz) which are part of their new NatureLuxe Collection. To be honest, the last time I used a CoverGirl product was probably in high school. Their Lipslick (in a silvery whiteish pink) was a a staple in my makeup bag (I cringe when I look back on it!) and my first foundation was made by them as well.

However, as I learned more about makeup, I preferred other drugstore brands like Maybelline and Revlon. But after trying these two products, CoverGirl has definitely made a comeback in my book -I wouldn't be surprised if some new products showed up in my makeup drawers anytime soon.

Product Description

Ingredients

I'll start off with my favorite of the two -the Liquid Silk Foundation (with SPF 10). This stuff is amazing! I'd describe the foundation as more of a tinted moisturizer or very light foundation. It goes on smoothly and gives light coverage leaving a slightly dewy finish (but nothing over the top.) The foundation is feels so light on the skin -I forget I'm wearing it! It covers all my veins and light marks well and best of all, it doesn't make my forehead look super ashy or gray. Also, it doesn't dry out or irritate my super dry, sensitive skin which is a huge plus.

The foundation does have the standard "makeup" scent but after applying it, the scent fades. It lasts me through an average day (about 5 hours) with minor fading.

I received #350 Oak which was the darkest shade of the five or six BzzAgent offered (there are tons more shades in store). The shade is a little light for me but it works. When the weather gets warmer I'll have to mix it with some bronzing gel.

Gloss Balm in Muscat

The Gloss Balm (with SPF 15) is nice but I'm not amazed. It's nice -basically a (very) tinted lip balm with a glossy finish. The color payoff is good and leaves my lips with a tint of strawberry red with some orange (and subtle red sparkles.) It lasts about 2 hours before it starts to fade but it does leave a very light tint of color. There is a slight artificial strawberry makeup scent but the scent fades once it's applied.

Swatches..

Above (with flash) from top: Liquid Silk Foundation in Oak, Gloss Balm in Muscat

Above (with flash): Gloss Balm in Muscat

I received both products from BzzAgent. Anyone can sign up with BzzAgent. Members are able to sign up for free and join campaigns and receive products to try and review.

Nudey Tuesday: Smashbox Soft Lights in Shimmer Review & Swatches (HG Product!!)

Repurchase: Yes

Price: $28.00 (0.352 oz)

Product: 24.5/25

Packaging: 3.5/5

Value: 9/10

Overall Grade: A

I was ecstatic to receive a tin of Smashbox Soft Lights in Shimmer with my last Apothica order. This actually isn't my first encounter with the highlighter -I used to own it back in the day when I first started seeing my boyfriend (about three years ago.)

The day I realized that my precious Soft Lights had gone missing was a sad one. I was doing my makeup and noticed that it was nowhere to be found! I rarely re-buy beauty products though because I always have these hopes that it'll turn up. Sadly, that hasn't been the case with any of my lost gems.

(Note: I apologize in advance for the rather dark photos. It's been super rainy and cloudy here lately.)

The Packaging: The powder comes in a rubbery matte black tin (think NARS). The tin in sort of inconvenient -I'd much rather prefer a compact with a mirror.

Product Description & Ingredients

The Product: I'm a big fan of Smashbox's Soft Lights highlighters. I currently own Shimmer and Tint (discontinued) and would love for them to add more shades to the line.

The highlighter is super soft, non-irritating, and very pigmented. It blends so easily and is so silky and smooth on the skin. To add to the list of positives, it's also a long lasting product and wears for about 6-7 hours (on bare skin) before it starts to fade.

What I love about the highlighter is that it's such versatile product. I can use it for my cheeks (above my blush), on my brow bone, along my nose, on my forehead -pretty much anywhere that could use some highlighting.

The Color: Shimmer is pale pink champagne with lots of shimmer.

Swatches..

Above (with flash): Smashbox Soft Lights in Shimmer

Overall: Smashbox, in my opinion, makes some of the best products on the market and their Soft Lights highlighters are no exception. This will be perfect for anyone who loves a good highlighter that offers a lot of "glow." However, for those who prefer more matte looks, stay away! This stuff is very shimmery.

Where To Buy: Apothica ($27.70), Sephora ($28.00)

Smashbox VIB Cream Eye Liner & Brow Tech Palette & Sephora Brush #42 (Review & Swatches)

Smashbox VIB Cream Eye Liner & Brow Tech Palette

Repurchase: Yes

Price: FREE! (Full Size Cream Eye Liner Palette $32, Brow Tech $24)

Product: 8/10

Packaging: 8.5/10

Value: 10/10

Overall Grade: B

Since Erynn of e.motion in motion was interested in this, I am reviewing the Smashbox Cream Liner & Brow Tech Palette that I got as a VIB freebie from Sephora. This is not the full size version but I’ve seen the full size Cream Eye Liner Palette in stores and it looks about the same size or maybe just a tad smaller -the Brow Tech comes in a trio. In any case, this is a generously sized freebie and came with a deluxe sample of their popular Photo Finish primer complete in a small, clear case.

The Packaging: The sleek, matte black palette is very thin and the same size as a credit card which makes it ideal for travel. Like NARS products, it is prone to fingerprints but wipes clean with a baby wipe or wet nap.

The Product: The Brow Tech is nice. I like that the powders are pigmented and blend easily into my brows. I can see this working for most people as there are 4 natural shades total in the Brow Tech line.

The majority of  the cream eye liners are rich and pigmented. The texture is creamy and smooth –not chalky or flaky at all. However, I ran a “smudge” test on my hand swatches and after just rubbing a finger over all the swatches at once, they smudged easily and the colors faded. "Image", the only shimmery shade, did the best job holding up although it still faded too. I also tried swatching it over some UDDP but it still smudged.

However, it was different when applied. After 6 hours, it hadn't budged at all. (Take note that I do have dry skin so most eye makeup lasts on me all day.) However, since the liner did smudge when I rubbed over it intentionally, I’m sure this wouldn’t last through an afternoon nap –most of my cream liners and liquids don’t.

The Color: The palette contains 1 Brow Tech wax, 3 Brow Tech powders, and 6 Cream Eye Liners.

Brow Tech

1. Taupe- Medium taupe

2. Brunette- Darker brown

3. Blonde- Medium blonde brown

Cream Eye Liner

1. Image- Olive with golden shimmer

2. Thunder- Mossy gray

3. Putty- Medium brown

4. Caviar- True black

5. Picasso- Deep ink blue (slightly sheer)

6. Midnight Brown- Dark chocolate brown

Swatches..

Smashbox Brow Tech above (no flash) from left: Taupe, Brunette, Blonde.

Smashbox Cream Eye Liner (no flash) from left: Image, Thunder, Putty, Caviar, Picasso, Midnight Brown. This pic most closely resembles the actual colors.

Smashbox Cream Eye Liner (no flash) from left: Image, Thunder, Putty, Caviar, Picasso, Midnight Brown. This pic if clearer.

Smashbox Cream Eye Liner (no flash) from left: Image, Thunder, Putty, Caviar, Picasso, Midnight Brown. Here are the liners after the "smudge test."

Overall: The palette offers great variety and is packed in a conveniently sized case. The Brow Tech powders work really well while the liners are overall pretty pigmented with the exception of "Picasso." The only thing is that these might be smudgey for those who have trouble with their eye makeup smudging and fading easily -although it worked fine for me (I wore primer and a base underneath.) It will definitely smudge if you were to rub on it though. Overall, a great palette. I'm thinking about getting one of the full size cream liner palettes but I have way too many liners.

Sephora Collection Professional  Flat Blush Brush #42

Repurchase: Yes

Price: $10 (from $22)

Product: 10/10

Value: 9/10

Overall Grade: A

The Sephora Collection Professional Flat Blush Brush #42 is on sale at Sephora right now for $10 (from $22.) Since there’s not “packaging” and/or “color” for makeup brushes, I skipped right to the “product.” I absolutely love this brush. It’s small, compact, and perfect for at home use or on the go. An extra plus is that the bristles are super soft and don't scratch at my skin. Not including the brush head, the entire handle measures just over 4.5 inches. The widest part of the brush head measure 3 cm and from top to bottom, it measures 3.25 cm.

What Sephora Says.. "This design is flat with a tapered point and contains a lower concentration of bristles, which translates to a higher concentration of color. The naturally versatile shape allows you to easily maneuver across the crevices of the face—and even re-appropriate it as an all-over shadow brush."

What can I use this brush for? Although it’s a blush brush, I can’t see myself using it for blush because it’s too flat. I prefer fluffy blush brushes. I really love it as a contour or bronzer brush –as I usually contour with my bronzer. It’s perfect and fits right into that hollow cheekbone area and makes blending a breeze. I don't see myself using it as an eyeshadow brush (like Sephora suggests) though -it's way too big.

More Pics..