Beauty Buy, Blunder & Break: Mascara

It has been much too long since I've posted a beauty review, but fear not, I have been trying more drugstore-brand cosmetics, and keeping tabs on what sucks and what doesn't. Lately, I've picked up a lot of new mascara. Let's start with the good. (Then we can move on to the bad and the ugly... or rather, mediocre.)

Buy: L'Oreal Double Extend

As you can see, this mascara requires two applications...

The first is the "Fortifying Extender" and the second, the "Color Magnifier".

The first is white and the second, the color of the mascara. I felt the "Fortifying Extender" applies sort-of a tubing on your lashes that really does what it promises - lengthens. This two step process is worth the effort; it was, by far, my most favorite mascara I've tried as of late. Retail price on this is $10.95.

Buy: L'Oreal Voluminous Power Volume 24H w/Collagen

OK, wow, so far L'Oreal is 2 for 2. This mascara has a thick brush and delivers on the volume. Retails for $7.95. I prefer the Double Extend, but this is a safe bet.

Break: Nuance Ultra-Defining

Here's why I'm calling this one a "break". Retailing at $9.79, I expect better, specifically I expect waterproof. However, I really like the tiny brush, as I do believe it aids in separation of lashes.

Personally, I prefer my lashes long and separated, as opposed to voluminous. I didn't have issues with flaking or transfer to my under-eye, but this mascara barely lasts through the whole day. C'mon, Selma, you can do better than this. I'm also giving it the "break" rating for the packaging. It's sleek and simple. 

(I wish other brands would follow suit on the packaging aspect. The more it looks like MAC, the better, m'kay?)

Blunder: Almay One Coat Thickening

Oy. OK, not only does this NOT thicken, lengthen or do much of anything you expect mascara to do, but it flakes off throughout the day. Not even worth the $5.99, which is the least expensive of the bunch.

Beauty Bank: Foundation Brush

Another win for Essence of Beauty brushes!  This time I picked up their Foundation and Powder Brush.  CVS sells this brush for $10.49, but I believe I used a couple coupons and got it for less than $10.  Essence of Beauty brushes always contain a $1 off coupon inside every package for a future purchase.  That's how they keep ya comin' back for more!  This brush is made with all synthetic materials, so all you animal lovers can sleep well at night.

To give you an idea of what a foundation brush will cost you, MAC sells theirs for $33, Sephora sells theirs for $25 and the Body Shop has one for $23.

I use this brush strictly for foundation.  Why use a brush for foundation instead of a sponge?  A sponge wastes product, putting half on your face and soaking up the other half.  Using a brush will not only give you a better application, but it will save you money, as it doesn't waste your product like a sponge does.  Plus, it's better for the environment.  You can wash your brush over and over again and it will last much longer (possibly a lifetime).  You can wash a sponge too, but eventually it will either fall apart or the buildup will just be too much, you will want to toss it.

The Essence of Beauty Foundation and Powder Brush's bristles are strong enough to withstand a cream foundation and a liquid foundation.  They are also soft to the touch.  The application is even and accurate.  The brush is built well; the bristles are held strongly in place and they don't fray.  

Overall, this is a great brush.  Especially for the price.

(This is NOT a sponsored post.  As stated on my "About" page, all beauty products reviewed are purchased by me.  The opinions contained herein are my own, and are not influenced by any person/Corporation, etc.)

Beauty Break & Blunder: Face Cleanser

Since I've had such great luck with Nuance makeup products, I thought I would try the skincare line.  I picked up the Walnut Facial Scrub (originally $7.99) and Chamomile Cream Cleanser (originally $7.99) when CVS was offering buy one get one 50% off all Nuance skincare items.

Walnut Scrub: Beauty Break

I liked the texture of this scrub.  It was exfoliating, but not harsh.  The smell was nice, as well.  My skin felt a bit cool after use - very fresh.

Chamomile Cream Cleanser: Beauty Blunder

I did not like this cleanser at all.  I felt the scent was an attempt to mimic higher end products, but it was way off.  It smelled cheap.  I couldn't get past the scent.

Both cleansers were inexpensive, but not cheap.  Additionally, I broke out in a rash that I think was caused by one of these cleansers, but I'm not sure which one.  I think it was the scrub though, because I used it more than once and as soon as I stopped using it, my skin cleared up.  I would recommend the walnut scrub, but with caution.

Beauty Bank: Powder Brush

Did I forget to mention in my review of the Essence of Beauty Kabuki brush that every Essence of Beauty brush purchase includes a $1 coupon towards your next Essence of Beauty purchase?  With said coupon + $3 ExtraBucks coupon in hand, I headed over to CVS to look for a better brush for blush.  (Currently I'm using a brush not intended for blush and I'm using it for bronzer & blush.)  I picked up this powder brush (again, not intended for blush, but I'm a rule-breaker), priced at $9.99.

Some Essence of Beauty brushes (this and the Kabuki included) are made with animal hair - not synthetics.  If you're morally opposed to wearing fur/leather, you probably don't want to purchase these brushes.  A small amount of research on the matter reveals that you really can't be sure through what route the manufacturer is getting the hair - whether it's humane or not.  Just want to throw that out there.  I've tried synthetic brushes, and I don't get the same results.  (Don't hate me, PETA.)

[If you're still reading]... this brush worked wonderfully for blush application!  The first swipe was very even and gave me a very natural look.  The shape of the brush works well for blush, covering my cheekbone perfectly, but it would work well for all over face powder, as well.  I tend to wear more blush than the average gal, so I just did a few more swipes and I was good to go!

Just like the Kabuki brush, the Powder brush is firm enough to get a good application, but very soft on your skin, at the same time.

Beauty Bank: Bronzer

Remember when I mentioned in my review of the Physician Formula Happy Booster Bronzer that it was not "a perfect replacement for MAC bronzer" and it might have to do with "going from a mineralized powder to not"?

That got me thinkin'... (don't worry, it didn't hurt, much)  So I decided to set out to find a drugstore-brand, mineralized powder, bronzer or otherwise, that would compare in color to my MAC Mineralize Skinfinish bronzer.  Face powder would work, as long as it's the correct color.

I'll be honest, there aren't a lot of mineralized powders at the drugstore, but I was able to find 1 and it came in a shade that was just right.

Enter Nuance by Salma Hayek Flawless Coverage Mineral Foundation in Medium Deep.

This is a powder foundation, so it works just like any face powder.  The single tone is perfect - no weird pink hearts to avoid here!  It kind-of just melts into your skin, looking very natural and even.  I use a few applications under my cheekbones to get the perfect depth of color for contouring.  It blends very well and is never splotchy.  On top of all that wonderfulness, the packaging is attractive.  It's simple and black - just like MAC.  Not much wasted space either, so you won't have to worry about storing a bulky compact.

$13.99 @ CVS

I knew there was a reason I liked Salma Hayek.

Beauty Bank: Foundation

Having run out of my CoverGirl & Olay Simply Ageless foundation (and having the desire to do another product review), I thought I would try something different.

I remember seeing Stef @ If Curves Could Talk wearing Maybelline mousse foundation, so I thought I would give that a try.  When I got to the store, I noticed Maybelline offers two mousse foundations - Dream Smooth (ideal for dry to normal skin) and Dream Matte (ideal for normal to oily skin).  I actually have dry to normal skin, but I find that most foundations make my skin feel very greasy half-way through the day, so I decided to try the Dream Matte.  Dream Smooth comes with an applicator sponge and 0.49 oz product while Dream Matte comes with no applicator sponge and 0.64 oz product - at about the same price.  I'll take more product, thank-you-very-much.  I paid $6.57+tax at CVS.

To deal with no applicator sponge, I picked up a pair of Sonia Kashuk round sponges for $3.99 at Target.   

Bonus!  I get 2 sponges, so when one is old and crappy, I can just chuck it and move on to the next!*  You can get sponges everywhere and for less than $3.99 - here's some for $1.99.

(Note: I originally purchased this foundation at Target, but I got the wrong color.  When I went back to exchange for the correct color, I learned that Target does not accept returns on opened cosmetics!!!  Don't buy your cosmetics here, unless you're sure you're keeping them.  Being a Libra, I'm never sure, so I will go to Walgreens or CVS from now on.)

On to the review... I really like this foundation!  Maybe it's even love?  The texture is very true to the name - mousse - it has a light, whipped feel.  The pigment is nice, as well.  The coverage is buildable, light - medium.  It evens out my skin without looking cakey and without hiding my freckles.  (If you're looking to hide your freckles, don't look to me, I love freckles!)  I don't get a greasy feeling half-way through the day.

What more can I say?  I think the proof is in the pictures.

without foundation

with foundation

* I don't actually chuck my sponges, I wash them and use them until they are falling apart, and then I chuck them, only because they aren't recyclable.  'Cause I'm all about the triple R's.

Reader Request: Miranda Lambert's Smokey Eyes

A friend (and reader) is a self-proclaimed "dorky country-lovin kind of gal" going as Miranda Lambert for Halloween.  She wanted some guidance on how to acheive this look, without spending a ton.  (i.e. going to MAC and buying $50 worth of products.)  

Not being a "dorky country-lovin" gal, and having no idea who Miranda Lambert is, I needed pics.  These are the pictures I was provided:

Seems like a brown smokey eye would do the trick.

To achieve this look, I thought I would use Nuance by Salma Hayek Beautiful Blends Eye Quad in Smokey.  This quad cost me $8.49 at CVS.  It comes with 4 shadows (duh!) and an applicator.  I used my own brushes.

Let's get right to it, shall we!

(Note:  I apply my mascara before shadow because, well, I don't know how to apply mascara without getting it all over my lid, and then cleaning up... or I'm too lazy to do it the right way, anyway the point is...  I would suggest applying mascara at the end if you do not have this very strange problem/habit.) 

First, I used a concealer on my lids as a base.  I would normally use a paint pot, but I wanted to use as many drugstore items as possible, so I used this Physicians Formula concealer, that I don't suggest using under your eyes.  You can use any concealer you like, or if you don't have any, foundation.  This will give the shadow something to stick to.

Next, I used a brush similar to this to apply the shadow "cool charcoal" (note: this is not black - it's dark green) along the upper lash line.

Next, I cleaned the same brush off (rubbed it on some clean tp) and used it to apply the shadow "warm smoke" on the outer lid area and crease.  I have small eyes so I can't apply shadow very far up towards my brow, or in, as it makes my eyes look even smaller.

Next, I used a fluffier brush, similar to this to apply the color "silver mist" to the area under my eyebrows, inner eye and moving outwards slightly to blend the other colors.  (Don't blend too much, you may start rubbing the other colors off.)

Finally, I added black liner along the upper lash line and outside half of the lower lash line.  Again, with small eyes you do not want to draw a circle of liner around your entire eye.  This will make your eyes appear even smaller. 

(Note:  If you're using a pencil liner, apply the liner before the shadow and smudge it a bit with a q-tip.  You can always add more as you see fit at the end of the process.  If you're using a liquid liner (I was), apply at the end.)

I use Almay liquid liner, $7.99 @ CVS

With a smokey eye, you want to keep the rest of your face simple.  Foundation, powder, bronzer for contouring, a little bit of blush and a nude lip.

And here's the end result:

Just add Pringles

Beauty Bank: Bronzer

I ran out of MAC Mineralize Skinfinish bronzer.  Mineralize bronzer from MAC will set you back $27, while their "regular" bronzing powder will only set you back $23.

I went to my local CVS (forget Walgreens!) and found myself staring at a wall of Physician's Formula bronzers.  (Excessive?  I'd say so.)  Settling on 1 bronzer was a difficult, confusing task.  I'm not kidding.

You've got Cashmere Wear™ Ultra-Smoothing Bronzer, Magic Mosaic® Multi-Colored Custom Pressed Powder, Summer Eclipse® Bronzing & Shimmery Face Powder, Shimmer Strips Custom Bronzer, Blush & Eye Shadow, Powder Palette® Multi-Colored Face Powder, Powder Palette® Mineral Glow Pearls... the list goes on and on.

Told 'ya

I ended up with Happy Booster™ Face Powder and Bronzer.  (They got me with the promise of happiness!... not really.)

This bronzer promises to "promote a feeling of happiness by mimicking the effect of Endorphins and helping protect the skin from environmental stress."  Um...ok.  (I hope you don't really believe that.)  It was priced $14.49 at CVS with a $3 coupon, coming to $11.49 - half the price of MAC.

I purchased the shade "bronzer".  The color is nice -  dark enough to get color with one sweep, but not too dark on my fair skin.  This is the darkest shade offered in the Happy Booster line.  I'm not sure that it will show up on darker skin. The application is smooth, not streaky and it blends well.  It does have a slight sweet smell that I like, but others may find unpleasant.

It's not a perfect replacement for MAC bronzer though, it sits on top of your skin more than MAC, which may have to do with going from a mineralized powder to not.  Also, I don't like the one pink heart.  I don't see the point of adding pink to your bronzer - it's too small to use by itself as blush, but it's too big to ignore.  I just sweep my brush around the whole palette and blend the pink in with the bronzer.

pro: the half moon brush that comes in most Physician Formula bronzers fits perfectly into a MAC blush.  Handy to keep at your desk or in your bag for an unexpected makeup emergency situation. (i.e. after-work date, networking event, drinks with the girls, etc.)

Beauty Bank: Kabuki Brush

As we've learned, a brush needs to be soft AND firm, in order do its job and not break your face.  This one is just that.

Essence of Beauty Kabuki brush

I picked up this kabuki brush from CVS for $9.99.  To give you an idea of the cost of other kabuki brushes - Sephora's is $24, Kashuk Tools @ Target is $20, Bare Escentuals' is $28, you get the idea.  A kabuki brush is good for all over powder.  It's pretty large, so you'll cover a lot of ground with it.  I also tested the kabuki with blush and bronzer, and it does a decent job with those as well.  All in all, this brush is a very good value.

Beauty Bank: Brow Powder

Ever since MAC discontinued their brow shader, I've been sad, but also looking for a replacement.  And a pencil won't do.  I like using a brush and powder because I get a better shape with the brush.  I use the angles of the brush to define the angles of my brows.

Eyeshadow won't do.  Brow powder is not the same as eyeshadow.  If you use eyeshadow on your brows, be prepared for it to smudge when you look at it, and fade throughout the day.  By the middle of the day, you may not have any brows left.

MAC Brow Shader

A trip to Sephora found me a new brow powder, named Anastasia, but for $22.  (Eek!)

Anastasia Brow Powder Duo

I was certain that I wouldn't find a drugstore brand, as brow powder is not very popular (though, I don't know why, it's way awesom-er than pencil).  Enter Nuance by Salma Hayek exclusively at CVS.  Thanks Salma!  She's got nice, big brows, so as expected, she really came through with the Shape & Define Brow Kit.

This kit comes in 2 colors - medium blonde and brown.  I paid $9.99, but it's currently on sale for $7.99.  It comes with brow powder, wax, highlighter and two tools that I don't suggest using.  (Get yourself a nice brow brush for this.  It'll be worth it.  I use this one, but here's one that's cheaper (though I cannot attest to it's quality).)

As you can see, it has a mirror on the front of the package.  That mirror slides down to cover the contents.  The packaging is sleek and attractive.  There isn't a bunch of extra stuff that you don't need, taking up space.

Both color options are nice and neutral - the brown is a little warm and the blonde is cool.  The highlighter is slightly gold.  Keep in mind, when using a brow powder that when you apply the wax, either before or after, it will darken the powder.  If you're blonde, I don't suggest adding the wax, unless you're going for an 80's Madonna look.  However, if you're brunette and you're looking for a cool brown, use the blonde + the wax.  You'll get that cool brown you're looking for.

Maybe it worked in the 80's, but not so much now.

If you aren't sure about using a brow powder and brush, here are a few pics of the process.  I hope they are helpful.

I start at the base and brush upwards, towards my arch

I stop my brush stroke at my arch

New brushstroke - I start at the beginning of my arch and brush down towards the tip of my brow

Twisting the brush, to make a fine brush mark, I finish off my brows with a fine line