Makeup Withdrawal

Showing posts with label makeup reviews. Show all posts

NYX Champagne & Caviar Palette

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Don't look at me like that. It was an impulse buy. It had neutrals. It was also on sale at Ulta for $7.49 so I couldn't help myself. Let me start out by saying that:

-If you like bright colors and candy colored eyeshadow, this palette is not for you.

-If you want a palette that is dramatic and great for nights out, this palette is not for you.

-If you already have a ton of neutrals, this palette is not for you.

I think you get the point. I just can't stress enough that if you aren't looking for this sort of thing, then of course you won't find it palatable.

1. Frosty champagne, slightly peachy

2. White matte

3. Satin light taupe

4. Shimmer medium golden taupe

5. Matte medium rose brown

6. Matte ashy dark brown.

7. Frosty champagne (similar to #1 but more golden)

8. Pearly pink

9. Shimmery taupe with a touch of plum

10. Matte black

Well, what is this palette actually good for? I think that if you're new to neutrals (is there such a thing?) and need a decent array of eyeshadows to play with. These light brown shades are pretty good as all over the colors.

I'll be honest though, some of these shades aren't the awesome buttery NYX texture that I'm accustomed to. The shimmery/pearly shades are pretty decent but the matte shades (2, 6, 8) are not as good as the NYX singles. Shade number 2, a matte white is in fact a little chalky (Is there even a non-chalky matte out there?).

This is the kind of palette you leave in your desk at work for the days you get there late and realize you forgot to look in the mirror.

You can do a near complete eye look with just this palette. In fact, for some reason the black in this palette (while far from the best black I have ever used) is remarkably amazing as a liner. You can highlight, contour your crease and line your eyes all in one, so I think it's a great value. But it just doesn't cut it for everyday use because so many of the shades are very similar.

I do however want to check out the rest of the palettes, perhaps the colors will draw me in more.

Have any of the NYX palettes?

Edit: After a few weeks, this shadows in this palette became utterly crumbled due to the soft, airy nature of the shadows. I didn't even travel with it or anything, it just crumbled while being with other palettes in a drawer!

New Notices and Revlon Singles

Monday, April 19, 2010

Howdy!
I just wanted to talk about a few new features to this blog. First, notice on the left hand side of the page there's a Formspring box that says, "Ask Me Anything"? That'll allow anyone to ask me any thing (surprise!). I'm hoping that the questions will be makeup related, but hey- I'll still answer questions about my favorite movie theater candy or if I'm Team Edward or Team Jacob. It's a really neat feature- you can ask questions totally anonymously if you want to. If there's enough interest, every so often I'll post some of the more interesting questions and their answers here.
Also, on the top of the page where there's a menu of sorts- there's a new addition. I thought I'd make a handy swatch gallery where all the swatches can be found so that they're easy to compare. It's also great for people who are really determined not to read.
Alright, Revlon singles!
Here's the ones I have so far- (Perle) Glistening Snow, Black Galaxy, Violet Starlet. (Satin) Nude Slip and (Matte) Aubergine.
I'd like to point out that I think the rather obvious misnomers- the finish names. By Perle, Revlon means matte or sheer shimmer with SPARKLE, GLITTER, HOLY SHIT SPARKLE. Sorry to jump out at you like that with caps and stuff, but I had to get the point across. By Satin, they mean shimmer. Matte is the only accurate description.
I think they are really hit or miss- I returned Peach Sorbet (Matte) because I thought the texture was just awful and it turned out to be a hot chalky mess. However, I really do like the other ones that I have, I think the pigmentation (especially with Black Galaxy and Violet Starlet) are is pretty darn good. The blending is so-so, but I do like the lasting power. Sorry I didn't take pictures outside in the sun, but really- I think you get a great idea of the color quality.

Notes: Glistening Snow is a -sheer- white silver sparkle. Violet Starlet is red based violet with silver sparkle. Black Galaxy is a black with a hint of green blue (tell me I'm not crazy and you see it too) with silver sparkle. Nude slip is a bronzy nude shimmer (really smooth texture). Aubergine is a matte dark grey/purple.
Aubergine sounds gross, doesn't it? I actually really like it, surprisingly. It's really good for smokey eyes- like taking black down a notch and adding dimension and interest. I'll definitely be buying more of these (don't ever pay full price for 'em, they're always on sale somewhere) because I think they are great for drugstore products.
So, what do you think? Has my favorable opinion of them convinced you to give them a chance?

E.l.f. Complexion Perfection Review

Friday, April 16, 2010

I'm a sucker for any product that promises to neutralize, I really am. I've been curious about this product in particular for a long time- the E.l.f. Complexion Perfection (hence forth known as 'elf' because I'm tired of typing the periods). This product is from their Studio line - you know, the one where everything is packaged in imitation NARS. It's a pressed powder divided into four quadrants, all pastel (which reminds me of Easter, baby animals and toddlers every time I open it). The powder is finely milled, scentless, and neither hard to get on a brush or overly powdery. I swiped each color individually, just to give you an idea of how it looks but be aware that I swatched it really heavily.

I tried using this power in a few different ways. First, on my bare face (cleansed and moisturized, of course) I applied it directly to my face with a small fluffy brush. I used the green around my nose where the skin is always red, a little bit of both the pink and the yellow under my eyes, where there's a bit of darkness. I didn't really notice any difference, except that there was now powder on my face (not really worth taking a picture of either).
Next, I tried the same thing on top of concealer and foundation. Voila! The yellow+pink combo underneath my eyes set the concealer nicely, and seem to brighten the area. The green around my nostrils helped tone down any remaining redness peeking through my foundation. However, my favorite use of this product is to swirl all the colors together with a big fluffy brush and apply it as a setting powder. I was also fascinated that all the colors mixed together made a sort of 'non color', if that makes any sense. No one shade was predominately noticeable over the others. That combined color helped brighten my face up (great for sallow complexions) and mattified the oily areas- I'll definitely be using this more and more as it gets warmer out. I did notice that on some of my drier areas, it seemed to accentuate the flakes though, so be wary if you have dry skin.

Yes, over applying this powder will give that ghostly pale pallor, so for the darkest skin tones- I wouldn't recommend this, I'd imagine it'd be more ashy than useful. On lighter complexions, use a lighter touch and you'll be all set!
Overall, an interesting product and at $3 certainly worth trying out. You get a large amount and thanks to elf being now readily available at Target, you no longer have to order online! (International beauty lovers will though :( )

Dueling Eggplants: L'oreal HiP vs Maybelline EyeStudio Liners

Saturday, April 10, 2010

Ah, violet liners- how you tempt me so. It doesn't matter that I already have about 5 of you in liquid and pencil form but I crave you even more.
Now, I finally got around to getting the L'oreal HiP Cream Liner (I'd been telling myself over and over that I really didn't need it, but it was 40% this week at CVS and free with my bonus bucks) and I'm glad that I did.
Dark plummy liners are so shhhhhhexy. Blargh, that usually drives me crazy when people type like that, but for aubergine colored liners, I'll make an exception. I like how they're completely professional looking (when applied liberally of course) but also great for doing a dark violet smoky look to make eyes smolder.
I'm blabbing, on to the actual review.

Here's what they had in common: both came with brushes that I wouldn't really use for liner. The Maybelline brush actually makes a great lip brush, great for nice edges. But I don't like how it's rounded, I'm a liner control freak that requires precision. The HiP one could be usable in a pinch, but the applicator is just so small it becomes hard to handle. Both are also housed in small glass pots, with plastic caps.
Quick note: This is NOT my wrist. It's my fiance's. That's why it's really hairy and a tad darker than mine (he's about NC25), I did not become infected with lycanthropy . Also, there was no way I could drag him outside to take pictures, I'm afraid you'll have to do with indoor shots with flash.

The Maybelline one is much more sheer and though it's billed as a gel, is harder to work with (kind of chunky). Also- a pet peeve of mine is that in the picture of the 'final look' on the packaging it looks really opaque and dark, but in actuality it's got kind of got gold shimmer and really quite see-through, requiring many layers to build it up. The few times I've worn it, it's smudged. Grr.
The L'oreal HiP one is creamier, but more blue violet than the other and darker. It's more subtle, less shimmer and much more opaque. Easy to work with, as you can see it only takes one swipe to reveal the color. This one wins, hands down. It might look dull to those looking for a pop of color- it's really more of a 'unblack' when lining the eyes. Pretty long lasting on the eyes as well.
Tiny bit of difference in the amount- L'oreal 4.5g vs Maybelline 3g.
Here's the worst part- you want to know the reason why I swatched it on Mr. MakeupWithdrawal? Because in the few times I've played with the Maybelline one, it has stained like you would not believe (Luckily, this is the type of thing he won't notice). Seriously- gross grey stains that take a few days to come off. Come on now, Maybelline- what's the deal here?

New Mascara Review Video!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

My hubby-to-be bought me a new video camera, a Sony Handycam last week. Here's the first video I took with it, still working out the kinks! I just realized today that it wasn't recording in the highest quality possible. Man, I wish I was tech savvy.

New MAC Viva Glam lipsticks!

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Chances are, if you're obsessed with makeup, not only have you already heard of the new Viva Glam lipsticks, but you're tired of it being mentioned.

But for everyone else, let me introduce to you the two newest additions to MAC's Viva Glam collection, VG Gaga and VG Cyndi.

That's right- two of the most interesting woman on our planet now have luscious colors housed in black bullet lipstick cases worthy of them. I'm a huge fan of both, and even if I wasn't, these colors are still simply divine.

VG Gaga is a bright bubblegum pink- though sheer and buildable, (both lipsticks are Lustres) it is a bit on the cooler side. Don't let that deter you though! I'm quite neutral and I can still pull it off. It's my belief that Viva Glams are formulated so that they are appealing to the most number of women possible. VG Gaga is similar to MAC's Saint Germain (Saint Germain is bluer) and in an interview with Marie Claire, the pop icon herself mentions that it's inspired by the lipstick she used to wear (but modified to suit her tastes), Pink Nouveau.

VG Cyndi is my favorite- it's a beautiful strawberry that's incredibly versatile. I'm becoming more and more infatuated with each use- and I have to admit that this is my first sheer coral red lipstick. I'm kind of a bold red lip hoor, for me it's opaque or nothing. However, this color is so glamorous in so many ways, I've worn it with 4 different styles of application so far and loved them all.

These lipsticks are definitely something you'll want to pick up- they're so immensely popular that VG Gaga is temporarily sold out on the site. Have no fear! Though limited to a year, they will be restocked soon at your nearest MAC counters.

NARS Concealer

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Today, I am a happy person. I am also very pleased with Sephora- I'd go as far as to say that if I could legally marry a store, I would leave my fiance in an instant. Do you know why in particular, I am so thrilled with Sephora? A couple of days ago, I found that NARS duo concealer IN MY SHADE was $10 online. Yes, that's right ladies, ten dollars. Normally it's $30, and each shade of concealer separately is $22. I've been waiting and waiting forever for it to get here (ok, not really- packages from Sephora always get here in 3 days or less, but I am an impatient person). Turns out the UPS man left it this morning on my side door, not my front door. Anyways, I opened it up and played with it right away. It's absolutely fantastic. The moment it touched my skin, I was beyond amazed. I love the feel of it- it's so much lighter and smoother than MAC's. It feels like... primer. That same silkiness makes me giddy. By comparison, other concealers seem too pink for my skin and also very heavy and tacky in texture. Not NARS! The coverage is pretty amazing- it's sheer yet covering. I like the lighter shader for under my eyes, and in the winter but Ginger is fantastic for some areas near my temples that are slightly darker- every face has its dark and light areas, skin without a range seems unnatural! It's fantastic for light olive Asian skin tones. A few things I noticed- you HAVE to wear primer with this stuff or else it disappears within a few hours. Also, this is one of the few concealers I'd recommend applying with CLEAN fingers- Gasp, I said the 'F' word!- but really, you need the warmth of your skin to make the formula blend correctly. I am thinking of running to a Sephora store tomorrow to see if they have any more left, I want to stock up! This is my new obsession, it's the Holy Grail of blemish coverage.

DiorShow Mascara (Iconic, Blackout & Diorshow)

There is a great mascara combo pack at Sephora, and yours truly HAD to have it. It contained a full sized Dior Iconic, a mini DiorShow and a mini DiorShow Blackout. Considering Iconic is $25 bucks on its own and the pack was $29, it was a great deal because it was like the two minis were a couple dollars each. This was my first run in with DiorShow (I guess I balked a bit at the price tag). Well, to be honest, each of the mascaras alone left me somewhat unimpressed. I wasn't disappointed, not quite, but I certainly wasn't wowed. Then I tried layering 2 of them- Iconic for length and DiorShow for volume and it was STUNNING! The same thing happened when I used Iconic and Blackout together. My lashes was this masterpiece, long thick black strands that looked almost fake. Grr, that's somewhat annoying that I have to buy two mascaras for the total effect that I want. Costly too! That means paying nearly $50 bucks for mascara. Another thing that displeases me is that there is very little mascara inside each tube. By comparison- Bare Escentuals Big Tease mascara had so much product that it took me a month of wiping the wand off everyday before it was as empty as the Dior tubes.
The bottom line is that while I will enjoy this treat that I purchased for myself, I will not repurchase because it's just too expensive. I feel like I was a little swayed by the brand and that the reviews over hyped this product.
Is it wrong that I dream that an ultimate mascara exists? One that lengthens and volumizes at the same time? And that it's less than a small fortune?

Generic Value Products Silk Treatment Review

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

What a great find! I was trying to find a good pressing medium for my self made eyeshadows and a quick google search led me to a few different sites and videos that all recommended that Biosilk was a great alternative to CoastalScents.com's EZ Prez Medium. Which if you remember, I disliked because the packaged leaked like crazy and I wasn't too thrilled about the oil layers that separated within 2 minutes of being initially shaken. The ingredients of GVP's Silk Treatment are exactly the same as Biosilk, but I guess in slightly different proportions because it is a bit thicker. Now, I like the Biosilk dupe just fine, a few drops is all I need for making the dry ends of my hair feel ridiculously smooth yet not oily. I like pressing pigments with it as well, the thicker formula makes for less mess! EZ Prez Medium has fewer ingredients, but the GVP dupe has the same ones and more- fragrance and preservatives. Preservatives, yuck- you say? Not so fast, those dreaded parabens allow the formula to suspend its ingredients evenly. I'm not too worried because I'm using such a small amount, a couple drops per eyeshadow pan and the pay off is fantastic. Not to mention the price! 6oz for about 6 bucks with my Sally Beauty Supply card, what a deal! The medium is about 10 bucks for 2 oz and Biosilk is 13 for about 2.5 oz. I feel like I'm paying for an actual product instead of a fancy sleek bottle. After all, isn't that what matters the most?

MAC Fix+

Sunday, December 20, 2009

I bought a new bottle of MAC Fix+ and realized that I had started to take this product for granted- not once have I commented on it's versatility. It's a refresher, makeup setter and skin prep-per all in one spray bottle. As I peruse the internet and the many makeup forums that dwell there, it becomes clear that there are two teams with different party platforms when it comes to Fix+. There are those who buy it 5 bottles at a time and refuse to think about a cruel makeup world where it doesn't exist and there are those who believe that a homemade glycerin dupe is just as good. I think I'll pave the way for a third party.
It's true that the main ingredients are water and glycerin (I believe that many homemade recipes ask for about a 5 to 1 ratio, respectively) but there are many other ingredients as well. Those would be cucumber extract, matricaria extract, camellia leaf extract, Castor oil, caffeine, perfume and preservatives. I bet your immediate thought is, yuck, preservatives. However, it's not such a bad thing, if you were to make your own dupe, you'd have to make a new batch every week or so because there's nothing in it to keep it from going rancid. I personally don't like the smell of Fix+, and I can't justify $18 dollars for face perfume. Instead, I use the other aspects to rationalize the purchase. The caffeine energizes and is supposed to tighten your skin cells. The extracts leave your face feeling really clean, I love misting a bit on when I'm stressed, it immediately gives a flushed face a cold, calm sensation.
The primary use however, is to set makeup. This is particularly important if you wear mineral foundation like I do. I feel like though the coverage I get from powder is great, it doesn't last all day because there's no smoothers or binders like silicone. A setting spray like Fix+ adheres (I'm not sure that 'adhere' is the best word to use when talking about skin... but it'll do) makeup to your face and give it a dewy appearance (youthful dewy, not greasy).
The bottom line is that in a pinch, if I'm every out of Fix+ I'll make a quick glycerin dupe. However, I will continue to buy it and use it sparingly.
Cost: $18 at your local MAC or maccosmetics.com

Bare Escentuals Big Tease Mascara- Want

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Hmm, ever buy anything that was slightly above mediocre, roughly around decent?
I really wanted like this mascara. I guess Icould see it becoming a staple. It's one of those products that doesn't specialize in one area, but provides a little bit of everything. After one application, you don't get exceptional length or volume, but you get a decent amount of both. I lied, it is great in a few aspects- it's incredibly glossy and it never clumps. It also works really with false lashes and Fast Lash while providing an outstanding black.

The wand is pretty neat too, it's got really long bristles on one side that are supposed to help coat every single eye lash from root to tip. After I got the hang of it, I must admit that it does.
I like that it lasts all day without smudging, flaking, or smearing. But I have very high standards for mascara- those qualities should go without saying.
The value is alright though, I've been using this same tube for 4 months, there's still plenty left and it shows no signs of drying out. However, it's still more expensive then MAC Plush, so I'd rather buy that at $13 instead.
Cost: $15 at Ulta, Sephora, Bare Escentuals online.

Monistat Soothing Care Chafing Relief Powder Gel- Must

Thursday, November 12, 2009

What, you may ask, is a woman's health product doing on a beauty blog? Simple. It makes one incredible facial primer. Should I be carted of to a crazy hospital for even trying this? Probably.I've tried crazier in the name of beauty, but we'll get to that.

I know what you're thinking. Monistat? As in, over the counter yeast infection medication? Actually, though it's made by the same makes, it's for external use only, such as chafing caused by a swim suit or riding a bike. But let's discuss the wonderful alternative use. Facial Primer! I first read about in passing on a beauty forum. I was pretty skeptical at first but I'm cheap and the thought of spending only six dollars for facial primer made it too good to pass up.

I bought it at Target and immediately tried it out. I applied a thin layer over clean and moisturized skin, using a little extra on areas where I had unevenness such as a zit or large pores. I wasn't as miserly with the amount I used, at 1/6th the price of Smashbox Photo Finish (and one and a half times the size!) I could definitely afford to not skimp. The product is a gel that feels silky smooth- the way finely milled powdered feels. It didn't smell medicinal, just faintly of baby powder.
As you can see, it's invisible when applied.

In short, it delivered everything a pricey primer promises. It created a light layer between my skin and makeup, I could tell instantly when I applied my concealer to my problem areas that it helped the concealer sit evenly. It also made my makeup last all day, kept it soft and there was no irritation whatsoever, as well as oil control! I'm never shelling out 30+ dollars for expensive brand name primer ever again.

Cost: 1.5oz. Around $6 at Target, CVS, Walgreens and other drugstores.

Similar: Smashbox Photo Finish($36 for 1oz), Prep+Prime Skin ($25 for 1oz), Laura Mercier Foundation Primer ($30 for 1.75oz)

Makeup, how I love you so.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

I've tried to stop my habit, I really have.
But the fact of the matter is, it's too late to stop. There simply isn't anything that can stop my love of makeup. Nothing makes me happier than little pots of color, cakes of rouge and tubes filled with products guaranteed to make skin smooth and pores vanish.
Alas, like most people, there's a limit to how much makeup I can buy in a month. My spending habits have gone unchecked for too long and now I have to learn to shop wisely for the products I want and to pay the best prices.
So here's the stuff you absolutely have to have and things that I long for, yet know to stay away.
Everything falls into two categories; Must and Want.