Weekly mani using Revlon Berry Jeweled nail polish

Empties: February 2014

It's time for another round of empties! I've got a mix of different makeup products that I have managed to use up and have well-formed opinions on to share :)

Let's start with the face products:

• Revlon Photoready Color Correcting Primer: This is a lotion style primer, and I really did enjoy it. I think it's the best drugstore primer I have tried thus far (though I have my eye on the Rimmel Matte primer) and I love that it came in a glass bottle with a pump. Not sure it really color corrects, but it definitely helps your makeup last.
• Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (Caramel): I have a love hate relationship with this. It's a fantastic match for my skin and wears really well in the winter time, and in humid weather. But, if it's hot, it will not last. Even with a good primer I can't make it work. For now I'm going to hold off on re-purchasing this and try out other tinted moisturizer formulas.

Next, to my lonely lip product:

• Buxom Full On Lip Polish in Sugar (sample size): Oh man, this is my absolute FAVORITE formula of lip gloss. They come in tons of colors, are really glossy with only a slight tacky feeling, and they have this wonderful minty plumping sensation. I will always always repurchase this product. PS: My friends who I've told about this say their boyfriends request it for makeout sessions ;)

And lastly, what I go through the most, eye products:

• Diorshow Maximizer Lash Primer: Hot damn, this stuff is really good. Honestly, I was kind of hoodwinked into purchasing it but it really makes a difference. Since using it, my lashes are softer and fall out way less. The lashes on the very inner corners of my eyes have also grown significantly while using this, and they were non existent before. I'll repurchase when I can get 20% off.
• Eyeko Skinny Liner: Basic felt tip liquid liner. The tip isn't very flexible so it's not amazing for winged liner, but its solid for any basic liner you would wear regularly. I won't repurchase since I have a $3 Jordana liner that I love more than this.
• Tarte Lights Camera Lashes Mascara: Really nice and volumizing formula to this mascara. It doesn't give much length, but it's good at not being clumpy. I have purchased a full size.
• Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara: The brush on this thing is GIGANTIC. Because of that, it took me a while to figure out how to use it. It gives good separation, but not enough volume for my liking. I won't be repurchasing.
• Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara: LOVED this mascara. It's quite a wet formula and gives you both volume and length. The only issue is that since it's wet it can get a bit clumpy, but this is easily sorted out using a lash comb. I have another two sample tubes of this and can't wait to use them!

All righty, that's it for now. Hopefully in the upcoming months I'll be able to have some interesting products like blush or eyeshadow since I'm shopping my own collection.

Review: The Balm Instain Blushes

I’ve been lusting after these for a while, but was hesitant based on the price point and the fact that I had no methods to actually view the products in person. I’m one of those people who likes to see things before they purchase if at all possible. I love ordering stuff online, but usually only after I’ve had some experience with a brand and their products.

As someone who has oily/combination skin, I find that most of my blushes tend to fade away by the end of the day. The only exception to this is when I use the Benefit 15 hour primer, which is like glue for anything you put on your face. The Balm claims these products are a long wearing, staining powder blush. They’ve got 6 colors total and I ended up picking up a purple and peach one via Amazon. They retail for $22 and contain 6.5g of product. If you get them from Amazon you can actually pay between $12 and $16 for any of the colors, and Kohl’s sells a 3-pack online for $34 (I don’t have any of the colors in the pack).

To test these claims, I prepped my cheeks with the Revlon Photoready Color Correcting Primer (one of my basic no fuss primers) and wore my Bare Mineral’s foundation on top. I find that my blush wear tends to be less on top of any kind of powder foundation, so I figured this would be perfect. After that I just applied my blush with a stippling brush since they do pack some pigment. After a full day of classes and tutoring (makeup on at 10am and taken off at 9pm) my blush was still perfectly vibrant. My foundation had worn off in several places on my face but the blush was a trooper.

I’m really pleased with the performance of these blushes, and I think they perform better than the Tarte Amazonian Clay blushes which tout a long-wear claim. The consistency is buttery smooth and as with all pigmented blushes, a little goes a long way.

I love both colors I purchased, and am keeping my eye on the Kohl’s 3 pack both as a gift for myself and others.

Makeup of the day, I’m really loving coral cheeks and lips with fresh natural skin.