Category Archives: Drugstore Finds

Makeup Before and After: Catherine

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I’ve been remembering to bust out the camera when I see brides for their makeup pre-wedding trial runs lately which is great because who doesn’t love a good before and after makeup pic? Catherine is gorgeous and just as sweet. For her fall wedding, we wanted a neutral colored eye with a dash of plum peppered in and pink lips and cheeks. Here’s the short list of what I used to create the look (lashes were Ardell 110 btw, the ones I use most.)


Click image to enlarge.

Cheeks:

NYX Rouge Cream Blush in Hot Pink

This is some of the best cheek color I’ve used. It’s creamier than Stila’s popular Convertible Color with a perfect consistency that’s so easy to apply and blend. It beats out Stila’s (and many other) versions, and it’s what I’ve been using under powder blush for a guaranteed all-day color pop.

Lipstick:

Estée Lauder Pure Color Gloss Stick in Honey Pink:

There are few rules in makeup, but lips and cheeks matching will always be the standard for a look that flows so I applied some pinky lips to match her pinky cheeks. Even a non-lipstick wearer can get behind Lauder’s Pure Color Gloss Stick, the sheerest and shiniest option for those who want color without the weight.

Lip Gloss:

Smashbox Limitless Long Wearing Lip Gloss in Limitless:

A gloss from Smashbox is hard to beat, they aren’t sticky and the colors are right on the money. Limitless is one of those shades that flatters all and gives the right amount of shine for a sexy pout. It gets a lot of use in my kit.

Serum:

Make Up For Ever HD Elixir:

This light as water serum flies a little under the radar, but it’s an essential in my kit. It’s so dry here in Colorado (especially in the summer) which leaves skin thirsty, and makeup doesn’t look good over thirsty skin. Before priming, I always add a few drops of HD Elixir to the skin for a big drink of moisture that disappears allowing whatever you’re adding on top to melt in like magic.

Eyes:

Rain Cosmetics Diva Eye Shadow Quad in Viva Las Vegas:

Vegas-based Rain Cosmetics made a big splash in the world of beauty as a super glam line of makeup essentials as fun and glitzy as its home state. I love this shadow quad which includes a neutral base shade, two matte browns that can double as liners, and a peachy pink that flatters all skin tones. They have a ton pigment and they blend and wear really well. It’s one of the very few non-mainstream brands that made their way into my kit- which says a ton about its quality.

Eye Liner:

Make Up For Ever Kohl Pencil in 10K:

One of the best color stories for fall 2011 is MUF’s Smoky Couleur Collection, filled with plum and jewel tones that are so deliciously sexy. I used their 10K violet liner instead of a harsh black shade to bring out Catherine’s gorgeous blue eyes on both the top and bottom lash lines as well as her lower rim.

Finishing Powder:

Tarte Smooth Operator:

Don’t underestimate the oil absorbing power of Smooth Operator. Its finish is as good as any and its ability to keep skin shine-free without a chalky finish is unparalleled.


Beautiful in the before.


And beautiful in the after.. Click for full sized images.

Review: L’Oreal Magic Souffle Makeup

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It’s not often that I rave about drugstore foundations, but I think L’Oreal’s Magic Smooth Souffle foundation ($15) is worth a shout out. I do like it with a few small caveats. I think it’s best geared toward normal to oily skin that’s on the younger side due to the way the primer carries the pigment (ultimately a good thing,) but it might settle into dry or mature skin. It’s a pigment heavy makeup with primer built right into it, hence its unique whipped feel. You’ll save yourself the priming step, just use a sponge to work it into the skin for a more even application. It’s a long wearing formula though that resists heat and humidity so once it’s on – it’s on.

Sebamed

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Now you know I love me some Costco, especially their health and beauty section that rivals most department stores for their high-end products and much lower prices. Next time you’re there pick up some Sebamed, a totally unassuming cult fav for pH balanced skin basics. I prefer their Moisturizing Cream over Cetaphil’s to calm sensitized skin and not just deliver moisture. If Sebamed’s modest packaging makes you a little unsure of its efficacy, browse their glowing reviews at drugstore.com or the ones at amazon.com, which is what I typically do before dive into a line I don’t know much about. But if you really want proof of their popularity, just look at their signature Liquid Face & Body Wash or Everyday Shampoo, both offered in huge 1 Liter sizes. If you have a big family or just really want a good deal, this is one of those perfect all-in-one things that you stick in the shower for all to use (and enjoy.)

Pixi Succulent Lip Twin

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I love innovative products like Lip twin. Pixi’s wonder-duo wins my approval for a few reasons; first it’s a two in one concept that actually works for both. PIxi skipped trying to market a cream that works for both lips and cheeks (since most rarely do) and put a cheek specific formula on the top (the ball shape) separate from the big tube of lip color. Second, cheek color fades throughout the day so a quick cheek touch up is a brilliant thing to make so easy.

Here’s the packaging

And the tube, about the same size as a traditional gloss tube

Taken apart, the cheek color twists off to allow application of the lip gel. They can be used separately while the other is fully covered.

Check out Pixi HERE and at Target stores

Best Illuminating Primers

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I just tried a bunch of illuminating primers that were sent my way recently, who knew finding a good one would be so tricky? Some were too shimmery, some had no sheen at all, and some just didn’t hold makeup on any better than nothing at all. Only these two made the cut and here’s why..

Sally Hansen’s Natural Beauty line is the creative work of TLC’s Carmindy from What Not to Wear. It’s churning out a few cult favs already and their Luminizing Face Primer is one of them. It’s a dense, silicone-based primer with a pretty shimmer that lights up the skin so your foundation looks a little more alive. Because of the luminizing effect the shimmer gives, it wouldn’t be something you’d wear without foundation, it’s a true primer that works best under makeup.

Hard Candy’s Sheer Envy also beat out competitors charging 3x more because of its subtle sheen and mild consistency that quickly disappears into the skin. I’d also be sure and pair this one with your foundation and remember a little goes a long way.

If your skin is looking a little dull lately and you’d like to wake it up, these primers will give you a boost without a sparkle overload.

My Ulta NYX Haul; Liners, Shadows, and Glosses

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When I say I love NYX, I mean it. I received a few things to review a while ago and quickly became obsessed with its creative on the cheap vibe that (dare I say..?) beats the tar out of M.A.C. I gauged the color and wear time of M.A.C’s Penultimate Eye Liner against the one below from NYX and there was no comparison. NYX had them beat on richness of the black (it made M.A.C’s look almost graphite or brown) and it wore longer without budging. The tip is much easier to apply too. I reviewed the NYX Super Fat Marker (which I use daily) but toady I grabbed the smaller one for my kit when I want more precision lining. Here’s a look at the pen and the rest of what I grabbed today from Ulta.

Super Skinny Marker $9

I’ve used their Studio Liquid Liner in Black and Coffee so I knew these stay-put liquids were easy to work with and the shade selection was so fun. I needed a few new hues to stay inspired so here’s what I chose.
Sky Blue, Purple, Silver, Blue. $4.49 ea

If you love a sheen without glitter chunks, these little jars of Ultra Pearl Mania will make you happy. They’re great alone as shadows or placed over them, or even as mix-ins with lip gloss for an unexpected sheen effect on your pout.
Nude, Charcoal, and Baby Pink $2 ea
I couldn’t leave without Lip Gloss. Theirs is thick and smooth but not sticky – oh and it smells good. Big points for that right?

Sweet Heart and Crystal Soda. $5.40 ea

The only thing I didn’t find at Ulta is NYX Doll Eye Mascara ($9) which I grabbed online. They’ve released a few newer ones that I haven’t tried, I really hope this one doesn’t get discontinued because it’s so easy to build. I use it as a ‘topper’ to bulk my lash tips. 
Check out NYX either at Ulta or online. It’s big artist-quality performance for a ton less money.