September 2011 Favorites

September's favorites seems to consist mainly of theBalm and lip balm. School's been hectic so minimal makeup has again taken over my life.

Favorites included:

1. theBalm Betty-Lou Manizer (bronzer) (buy here)
2. theBalm Mary-Lou Manizer (highlighter) (buy here)
3. theBalm Mischievous Marissa & Devilish Danielle (from Shady Lady Vol. 2 Eyeshadow Palette (buy here)
4. Kiehl's Scented Lip Balm #1 in Mango (buy here)
5. Kat Von D Autograph Eyeliner in Black Metal Love (buy here)
6. C.O. Bigelow My Favorite Night Balm (buy here)
7. C.O. Bigelow Mentha Supreme 2X Lip Shine (buy here)

I'd usually elaborate on each but I don't have the time -I have so much schoolwork to get done! I'll see you all back here by Friday or so. Please feel free to ask questions about the products in the comments. I will respond -just don't have the time to talk about each right now.

Have a lovely Monday everyone -I already can't wait for the week to be over!

Too Faced Sweet Dreams Makeup Collection Review & Swatches

Repurchase: Yes
Price: $52.00 (eyeshadows: 15 x 0.03 oz) (bronzer/highlighter: 2 x 0.14 oz) (blush: 2 x 0.08 oz) (primer: 0.35 oz)
Overall Grade: A-

I've been yearning for this baby (along with all the other Too Faced holiday products) since the promotional images came out. When I saw it available on Sephora.com (early isn't it?!), I promptly placed an order and paid extra for faster shipping. Was it worth the extra three bucks (for shipping)? Heck yes.

The Packaging: The palette is made of durable, thick cardboard. This year's theme features a gorgeous trapeze artist sitting on top of a pretty pink swan. There are also plenty of butterflies, flowers, and glitter. The edges of the palette remind me of a fancy picture frame and while I thought they'd be easily bent out of shape -the cardboard is again quite thick -you'd have to really force it to wreck anything.

The palette opens to reveal a nicely sized mirror and 15 eyeshadows. Underneath, a drawer holds the bronzer, highlighter, blushes, and instruction cards. The only bummer is that there is no compartment for the Shadow Insurance (primer) -when I opened up the box, it was just placed at the top of the palette.

While the packaging is undoubtedly beautiful, it's slightly unpractical. While there are no pop-ups or wasted space like last year's palette, the palette is still quite large huge gigantic. It's about the size of most of the novels on my bookshelf and would easily blend in with them. I'm running out of space for humongous palettes like this.

Instruction Cards

Ingredients

The Product: This palette offers a great value -you get more than you pay for. However, compared to Enchanted Glamourland (last year's palette), you're paying $52 versus $49. Also, instead of getting a full size lip gloss, you get an extra highlighter and blush.

Eyeshadows- They eyeshadows are fabulous. I always use a primer and with TFSI, I have no issues -they last all day without creasing. The color payoff is great and the texture of the eyeshadows is very smooth and soft. However, Lovey Dovey, Cut the Cake, and Cop A Teal seemed to be especially soft because I received some fallout from those three shades.

Prior to ordering, I was a little hesitant to purchase the palette because I was afraid of repeats. There are a total of six repeats (just from palettes I already own.) However, that's still nine new shades. I do have one problem with Too Faced and their repeats though -sometimes they're inconsistent. For instance, they'll use the same color name but it's a totally different color. Take Smolder (in this palette) and Smolder from the Eye Love palette -one is navy and one is black!

Chocolate Soleil Bronzer- This bronzer seems to be fairly neutral and I see it working with many skin tones. It's matte and isn't too deep or too light providing a very natural bronze shade. However, it is by no means "flat" -there's a nice natural sheen to it but no over the top glow or glitter. Also, the bronzer has the yummiest chocolate scent and surprisingly, it doesn't bother my sensitive skin. It lasts about 3-4 hours (on bare skin.) For me personally, I'd prefer something a little darker (because of my skin tone) but this is a great option for those who prefer a more natural bronze.

Candlelight Glow Highlighting Powder- This highlighter gives off a sheer ivory champagne glow with lots of small golden shimmers. I'd call this, "natural without being totally natural" -does that make sense? This lasts about 2-3 hours (on bare skin.)

Cocoa Rose Blush- This is a very neutral pink and gives a natural wash of color. On my skin, I can barely see it (just because I have medium/tan skin.) So honestly, I can't tell you how long this lasts or doesn't last.
Sweet Pink Blush- Now this is a blush I like. It's gives cheeks a punch of color while remaining natural looking yet playful. It lasts about 4 hours (on bare skin.)

Shadow Insurance- TFSI is one of my absolute favorite beauty products. It prevents eyeshadows from creasing, enhances color, and locks down your eyeshadow all day (about 10 hours.) I also prefer this over UDPP when the skin area my eye area is extra dry -it works better and doesn't make the dryness worse.

The Color:

Eyeshadows

1. In The Buff- Matte ivory
2. Peach Fuzz- Very light peach with gold glitter
3. Copper Peony- Tanned orangey peach with golden shimmer
4. Teddy Bear- Matte chocolate milk brown
5. Lovey Dovey- Rich sable brown with shimmer
6. Satin Sheets- Shimmery pale golden champagne with a touch of rose gold
7. Cut The Cake- Shimmery lavender mauve with slight hint of periwinkle
8. Party Girl- Shimmery bright violet with blueish purple glitter
9. Nice Ash- Smoky charcoal gray with shimmer
10. Smolder- Matte deep grayish navy
11. Honeymoon- Antique gold with olive
12. Label Whore- Shimmery, slightly reddened rich brown with greenish teal reflects
13. Nice Stems!- Shimmery clover green with a touch of lime
14. Cop A Teal- Peacock blue with shimmer
15. First Dance- Matte plum

Bronzer/Highlighter/Blushes

1. Chocolate Soleil Bronzer- Matte natural neutral tan with sheen
2. Candlelight Glow Highlighting Powder- Sheer champagne ivory with golden shimmer
3. Cocoa Rose Blush- Soft neutral pink brown with minor shimmer
4. Sweet Pink Blush- Natural flushed pink with subtle golden shimmer

Swatches (I included both non-flash and flash swatches for this review because the sun was messing with my photos. I think the non-flash photos are more true to color BUT with a little more warmth -which is why I included the flash photos for comparison)..

Above (no flash) from left: In The Buff, Peach Fuzz, Copper Peony, Teddy Bear, Lovey Dovey

Above (with flash) from left: In The Buff, Peach Fuzz, Copper Peony, Teddy Bear, Lovey Dovey

Above (no flash) from left: Satin Sheets, Cut The Cake, Party Girl, Nice Ash, Smolder

Above (with flash) from left: Satin Sheets, Cut The Cake, Party Girl, Nice Ash, Smolder

Above (no flash) from left: Honeymoon, Label Whore, Nice Stems!, Cop A Teal, First Dance

Above (with flash) from left: Honeymoon, Label Whore, Nice Stems!, Cop A Teal, First Dance

Above (no flash) from left: Chocolate Soleil Bronzer, Cocoa Rose Blush, Candlelight Glow Highlighting Powder, Sweet Pink Blush

Above (with flash) from left: Chocolate Soleil Bronzer, Cocoa Rose Blush, Candlelight Glow Highlighting Powder, Sweet Pink Blush

 

Overall: The Too Faced Sweet Dreams Makeup Collection would make an excellent present (for you or some else). It can be an instant makeup collection for a beginner or fun addition to any makeup junkie's drawer. Because the palette does have a few eyeshadow repeats, I'd double check before adding it to your cart and hitting the checkout button. Is it the palette of the year? I don't think so (mainly because of the repeats) but it does house some amazing products and shades. But all in all, for $52, you get such a terrific value -it's definitely worth a second look.

Where To Buy: Sephora

More Photos..

What are your thoughts on the Too Faced Sweet Dreams palette? Have a lovely Friday everyone. <33

Nudey Tuesday: Revlon ColorStay Mineral Finishing Powders in Brighten, Sunkiss, Suntan Matte ($3.69 steal!)

Repurchase: Yes
Price: $3.69 @ CVS (0.31 oz)
Product: 22/25
Packaging: 3.5/5
Value: 10/10
Overall Grade: B+

Over the weekend, I went to CVS to check out their clearance sale offerings. I didn't find too much, which is actually a good thing, but I did grab two Revlon ColorStay Mineral Finishing Powders in Sunkiss and Suntan Matte. I had already purchased Brighten about a year ago so I thought I'd give the 2 other shades a shot.

The Packaging: The powders are packaged in thick black compacts with clear covers. Surprisingly, I've dropped Brighten several times and it hasn't broken -the compacts are bulky and ugly but pretty darn sturdy.

Ingredients

Directions

The Product: Brighten and Suntan Matte are slightly sheer but buildable, so you'll definitely be able to achieve good color payoff. Sunkiss is pigmented and only required 1-2 swipes to get amazing color payoff. The powders are smooth and easy to blend. They're perfect for adding some highlight to any look or a warm, golden glow for summer.

The only downside is that I don't feel that they last long -about 3 to 4 hours tops. But for the price, they're pretty awesome.

Brighten

Sunkiss

Suntan Matte

The Color:

• Brighten- Very pale ballet pink with silver shimmer
• Sunkiss- Deep metallic golden bronze with gold shimmer
• Suntan Matte- Warm matte golden tan with minor gold shimmer

Swatches..

Above (no flash) from left: Brighten, Sunkiss, Suntan Matte

Overall: At just a little under $4 a piece, I'd definitely recommend picking at least one of these up. They're wonderful products that can be used to complete any look. However, because of they don't last long, I wouldn't say that these are worth any extra trouble or effort. If you see them, get them. If you don't, don't kill yourself trying to find them.

Where To Buy: CVS

I can't find it online at any of the usual drugstore websites so I think these may be getting discontinued. However, they are available at LOTS of places online (amazon, discount sites, etc.) so not to worry. Just be sure to only buy from sellers you trust!

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)

Nudey Tuesday: MAC Golden Lariat Mineralize Skinfinish Review & Swatches

Repurchase: No
Price: $35.00 (0.70 oz)
Product: 22/25
Packaging: 3.5/5
Value: 10/10
Overall Grade: B+

I bought MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish in Golden Lariat during the Wonder Woman preview party about two weeks ago (I know, lagging!) Previously, I've had bad experiences with MAC's Mineralize Skinfinish products but I figured I'd give it one more go for the sake of Wonder Woman. The two gorgeous shades (Pink Power and Golden Lariat) don't hurt either.

The Packaging: The gigantic Mineralize Skinfinish comes in a huge red and blue case with a MAC and Wonder Woman logo on the lid. The rim around the lid and inside pan are done in gold which is a nice touch against the bright red and blue. The downside is that there's no mirror -something that would really help during quick touch ups and last minute applications.

Above I placed it next to a MAC Fluidline. You can see just how big the Mineralize Skinfinish really is!

The Product: The value is truly amazing. MAC Mineralize Skinfinishes are generally $28 and contain 0.35 oz (already a large amount of product) but this contains double the amount at 0.70 oz for only $35.

The Mineralize Skinfinish consists of 3 shades -a bronzer, highlighter, and blush. It has to be a known fact now that MAC isn't my favorite when it comes to quality but I do like their prices and the cool, creative collections they put out. With that being said, I do think they did a good job with Golden Lariat. The bronzer and blush have good color payoff and apply fairly smoothly. The blending was pretty easy as well with the help of my favorite brushes (the trusty MAC 168 and Sonia Kashuk blush brush.) It did apply slightly patchily due to my dry skin (a cold can really kill your skin) so just remember to moisturize in advance!

On the downside, the highlight shade left behind only shimmer on my medium skin. Also, the highlighter, blush, and bronzer only lasted about 3 hours tops with no base. The highlight shade was the first to go -then the bronzer, followed by the blush.

If you look at the ingredients, you'll notice that mica is listed first which made me extremely weary of using it. Products containing mica usually break me out and make my skin itch but I took a chance anyways 1) Because I love the shades and 2) For the sake of writing a good review. Well, it did make my skin burn and I did break out in tiny bumps after one use. However, don't let my bad reaction steer you away from buying the product -my skin is just really sensitive to mica.

(I did not base the product grade off of my reaction with this product because other people who aren't allergic to mica will not have the same problem.)

The Color: The shades are very golden and somewhat orange-y but don't be afraid! Prior to actually applying this on my face, I thought it would leave me looking like an Oompa Loompa but I was wrong. The shades go well together and made me look perfectly sunkissed -not like I'd gone overboard with the self tanner. Fair-skinned beauties might want to stay away while ladies with medium or darker tones should definitely give this a try.

• Highlighter- Pale yellow gold shimmer
• Bronzer- Deep, slightly orange-y, suntanned bronze with minor shimmer
• Blush- Orange-y peach with golden sheen and shimmer

Swatches..

Above (no flash) from left: Highlighter, Bronzer, Blush

Above (with flash) from left: Highlighter, Bronzer, Blush

On the face!

I couldn't capture this "perfectly" as I haven't figured out which setting is best yet for FOTD and full face shots. It looks really pretty in person. Don't mind the dry lips and my sickly looking face -I gave this a test run last week when I was ill. (Also, I didn't blend all the way because I wanted you to be able to see the different shades.)

 

Overall: This is a good product if it works for you. I absolutely adore the shades in Golden Lariat but I had to return it because the formula really irritated my sensitive skin. It's not wearable for me but if it was, I'd rock this all summer long. The awesome value doesn't hurt either.

Where To Buy: MAC