Maybelline Color Blur by Lip Studio Review & Swatches

Let me start out by saying that I haven't been this excited about a drugstore lip product since the Revlon Lip Butter collection. As with any product there are pros and cons, but let's celebrate Maybelline for embracing an asian makeup trend and creating a high-performing, affordable drugstore line in a beautiful range of colors! Hurrah!

Price: $7.99 each (purchased at CVS) 

Double ended cream matte pencil & smudger

From top to bottom:
40 My My Magenta
30 Partner in Crimson
15 Berry Misbehaved
45 I'm Blushing
50 I Like to Mauve It

The idea behind the ColorBlur lip pencils is to apply the pigment on the inner 1/3 of your lips, then "blur" the shades outwards with the other end of the stick, which is a white rubbery tip. I find that your finger works just as fine, if not better, at blending out the color but I appreciate the inclusion of the smudger. 

The consistency of the lip pencil is very smooth, with incredible pigmentation that is true to the color of the packaging. I do find that where the product is easy to apply and blend, the staying power is not as strong. I would recommend lightly dusting with translucent powder to prolong the wear. 

Maybelline Color Blur Lip Pencils Swatches

Ombre Lip Blur look using 15 Berry Misbehaved & Em by Michelle Phan lipstick in Cabana Beige

Disney Dare to Dream Beauty Book: Swatches & Review

They're here! The new Disney Dare to Dream Beauty Books featuring Ariel, Pocahontas, and Mulan! Similar to past Disney collections (villians, Jasmine, Belle etc) these are available at Walgreens, however unlike the past collections, they are not in collaboration with E.L.F. cosmetics. 

Mulan

Each Dare to Dream: Beauty Book comes with a written tutorial on a day and night look using everything that comes inside. All 3 Beauty Books include the same makeup components but in different shades. 

The Mulan Beauty Book includes 9 colorful shades, 2 blush, a lipstick, black eyelinder and a dual-ended applicator. 

Eyeshadow Swatches from left to right: 

Destiny (shimmer, microglitter) - deep, dark olive that's almost black with gold microglitter

Fortune (satin) - seafoam green

Blossom (satin) - duochrome blue violet 

Jade (satin) - turquoise 

Tranquil (matte) - magenta

Honor (satin) - soft peach 

Typhoon (matte) - ivory

Serenity (matte) - light mauve

Porcelain (matte) - white

Blush Swatch from left to right:

Palace Puce (shimmer) - deep coral

Dynasty Dahlia (matte) - cool pink

BOTTOM LINE: 

Some shadows are better than others. Jade and Tranquil were among the better ones, and Fortune was just the absolute worst. Barely any color payoff, no matter what I tried (brush, primer, finger, sponge applicator...nothing works!) I would say from a packaging and collectability perspective this is a great value at $10, but in terms of the actual product, I wouldn't recommend. There are better performing makeup items at a comparable price in other drugstore brands.

Ariel

Dare to Dream Beauty Ariel Book Cover

Dare to Dream Ariel Beauty Book Day & Night Looks

Dare to Dream Ariel Beauty Book Components

Eyeshadow Swatches from left to right:

Oceanid (matte) - cerulean blue

Dinglehopper (matte) - pastel blue

Gizmos (matte) - seafoam green

Whatzits (shimmer) - deep purple

Thingamabobs (shimmer) - reddish purple

Gadgets (satin) - pastel blush

Whozits (shimmer) - seaweed green

Snarfblatt (shimmer) - golden bronze

Treasures (matte) - warm beige

Blush Swatches from left to right:

Coral Fixation (shimmer) - deep hot pink

Shell Spell (shimmer) - bright coral

BOTTOM LINE: 

The Ariel Beauty Book performed much better overall than the Mulan Beauty Book. The darker shades (Whatzits, Whozits) were very chalky and patchy, but the lighter shades swatched properly and were a lot softer to the touch. The two blush shades were also very pigmented. The finish walks a fine line between shimmer and glitter, but used with a lighter hand it applies evenly on the cheeks. 

Pocahontas

Dare to Dream Pocahontas Beauty Book Cover

Dare to Dream Pocahontas Beauty Book Day & Night Looks

Dare to Dream Pocahontas Beauty Book Components

Eyeshadow Swatches, left to right:

Willow (shimmer) - warm bronze

Sycamore (shimmer) - deep brown

Heroine (matte) - cool taupe

Headstrong (satin) - terracotta red-orange

Warrior (matte) - deep raspberry

Wingapo (satin) - soft peach

Riverband (satin) - aqua blue

Ripples (shimmer) - cerulean blue

Dreamcatcher (matte) - pastel blue

Blush Swatch: 

Sun Sweet Berry (shimmer) - muted mauve

Bronzer Swatch:

Voices of the Mountain (matte) - light bronze

BOTTOM LINE: 

Of the 3, the Pocahontas Beauty Book is the most unique in that it includes a bronzer and a blush versus 2 blush colors, and a lipgloss intead of a lipstick. The eyeshadow colors are very earthy, and consequently, much more wearable for an every-day look for those who don't use bright colors very often. In terms of quality, the Pocahontas Beauty Book reigns supreme. All of the colors swatched beautifully, even the dark shades. I would recommend this as it's both a great collector item and has actual practical use. 

NYX Collection Noir: Liquid Black Liner Review

In a nutshell:  I like this eyeliner for its thin brush applicator and the precision it allows, even if it means waiting a bit longer to dry.

PROs:

- Great staying power, though I've never had an issue with black liquid liners fading

- Super, super thin brush applicator provides great precision  

CONs: 

- Long, thin brush has a lot of flex, requiring a steady hand

- The formula doesn't dry very quickly

Did I mention thin? Super, super thin. 

the 5 product makeup challenge

I don't know if this happens to anyone else, but I find myself using more and more products in the morning as my makeup collection grows. Makeup used to be just another part of my daily routine -- something I slapped on after I brushed my teeth and right before throwing my hair in a ponytail.

Somewhere along the way, my time in front of the mirror became something therapeutic and really enjoyable. A few minutes to myself with a cup of coffee and Colbie Caillat streaming on my laptop was my recipe to a perfect start to the day.

The more time I spent at my vanity, the more products I applied. I wasn't walking out the door looking like a leader of the Ringling Brothers Circus or anything, but it did spark a thought - am I wearing too much for just a day in the office?

So I decided to dial back for a day; pare down my makeup routine to the bare essentials.

Thus the 5 product makeup challenge was born.

Here's what I used:

Challenges of the challenge:

- the temptation to use an eye shadow palette and count it as one item

- having to get rid of a lip product

- finding a buildable shadow that delivers multidimensional application (thank you, L'Oreal infallible!)

At first I felt a little naked, a little lacking - but I also felt fresh and natural and young.

I'd love to make this a weekly routine! 

What would you choose for your 5 item challenge?  

Milani Baked Blush: Luminoso

When I first purchased this Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso, I was new to makeup. I had yet to own a single high end blush. I was so excited to finally have something that I could call exceptional -- for such a great price.

Since then I've welcomed Top Shop, the Balm, and Tarte to my blush family...but this one still remains one of my favorite.

The texture is velvety, the color can be vibrant or subtle depending on how heavily you apply it.  But most importantly, it gives me a believable flush - and most of the time, that's all I want out of makeup.

Just a little oomph to something nature already gave me. 

pink glitter ombre nails...with a bow!

No ramblings today; just a photo that I pulled from a vault.

Base: OPI You Callin Me a Lyre?
Top: Various pink chunky glitter polish (China Glaze Bad Kitty & Sinful Pinky Glitter are both great).

I bought the bow on my ring finger from this etsy shop.

2012 favorite roundup: makeup

In love, in hobbies, in purchases, I am by nature a fickle person. 

I want this.

No, I want that.

....do I want either?

and what's that other one? 

A cyclical mess of indecision that traps me at virtually every choice needing to be made. 

I'm easily enamored by new options, so when something becomes rooted in my routine -- surviving any and all newcomers -- I know it's something special. 

Urban Decay Naked Palette

Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso

Lancome Virtuose Doll Eye Mascara [more here]

L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows 

Rimmel by Kate Moss Lipstick in 08

Sonia Kashuk Eye Makeup Remover

Tarte Cheek Stain in Perfect Rose

Fresh Sugar Lip Balm

Essie A Crewed Interest

Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso

L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows 

Tarte Amazonian Clay Infused Cheek Stain in Perfect Rose

Rimmel by Kate Moss Lipstick in 08