Beauty Haul

 

I stopped by earlier this week at Ulta and CVS and picked up some of these goodies! =)

Bare Minerals Eyeshadow duo <3 - I bought this duo mainly for the champagne colour because it is so unique in the way it applies. Look at the swatches below and you'll know what I'm talking about (photos have not been retouched). I love how the gold peaks through<3 so pretty

 

Milani Baked Blushes

RED VINO

 

ROSE D'ORO

Swatches

Revlon Colorstay Whipped Creme Foundation 

Cargo Swimmables Eyeliner Set

 

Charcoal, Green, Blue, Purple

Looking into the horizon: A sunset inspired eye make up

 

Give your whole complexion a sun-kissed glow with a sweep of gold and orange shadows <3

  

1. Start off by applying your favourite eye primer all over your lids. 

2. This step is optional but since I really wanted the orange to pop, I applied Maybelline's color tattoo cream gel shadow in Fierce and Tangy all over the lid as a base, leaving the inner corners bare. Use your finger to apply it. The heat from your fingers will warm up the product and allow it to go on smoothly.

3. From the BH Cosmetics 120 palette (2nd edition), I then packed on some of this bright shimmery rusty orange eyeshadow onto a flat brush and applied it all over her lid. 

 

4. Remember the inner corner space that we left empty? Take a creamy white eyeliner or shadow stick and fill in those spaces to prep them for the gold inner highlight that we will soon be applying. Inner corner highlights are one of the best make up tricks to make your eyes look bigger and brighter. 

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in MILK

 5. Then take a pointed brush and pick up some of this gold eyeshadow from the BH Cosmetics 88 Cool Shimmer palette and apply it to the inner eye corners, bringing the gold up towards the orange and blending them together. 

6. For her brow bone highlight, I went for a matte cream colour since the rest of the lid is already so shimmery.

7. To contour her crease, I mixed 'Sexy' and 'Sleek' from the Nude'tude palette by the Balm and then used a fluffy blending brush to blend it all together for a seamless look. 

8. Then, using a small crease brush, I applied some matte black shadow to her outer V to deepen up the look and used the same fluffy blending brush in Step 7 to blend it out. 

Almost there D: 

9. Line the lash line with a liquid eyeliner and wing it out towards the end. Here I used Front Of The Line PRO in Black by Lorac.

10. Curl lashes, then top it off with some mascara. Wiggle the wand against your lash line for a fuller look, then hold the wand vertically to coat the tips of the lashes. And your done! :) 

Hope you try it out! <3

CVS (June 17-23) - blah week ._.

10 Venus disposable razors 3 ct.  $11.99 each, B1G1 50% off
8 Gilette G-sensor razors 4 ct.  $10.49 each, B1G1 50% off
3 Clairol Nice n Easy hair colours  $5.99 each
1 Charmin Ultra pack 16 ct.  $8.99 
2 Tide  40 oz.  $5.94

$17 ECBs
(5) $10/$30 Gillette CVS coupon
(5) B1G1 Free Venus disposable razors MQ (-$11.99 each)
(4) B1G1 Free Gillette male disposable razors MQ(-$10.49 each)
(3) $2 any hair color purchase CVS coupon
$1.50 Charmin CVS coupon
(5) $2 Venus razor MQ
(4) $2 Gilette sensor 3 razors MQ
(3) $2 Clairol hair color MQ
$2 Tide home mailer coupon
$1 Tide MQ


Retail Value: $208.11
Total OOP plus tax: $3.20       received $5 beauty bucks, $10 P&G ECBs

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm stains

image credit:  cyndiinphilly for Nouveau Cheap

Sometime ago when Revlon released their very raved about lip butters, I went a little crazy and sincerely believed nothing could top that UNTIL I came across these Just bitten kissable lip stains. That's not to say that I'm over my lip butter obsession, but for the past few weeks they've just been lying in my lipstick drawer collecting dust ._. bwah


Here's what Revlon has to say about their latest lip stain collection:

It’s a pampering balm fused with a lightweight lipstain in an adorable chubby crayon. Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain gives softer, smoother lips with a perfect flush of color that lasts hour after hour. The gel formula comes in 12 vibrant shades that match any look or mood. 

-Lightweight Lipstain + Moisturizing Balm

-100% of women who tried it felt their lips were instantly moisturized with a soft stain of color
-Retractable chubby crayon, no sharpener required 

Now onto the review, If you've ever used a lip stain in the past, you know it can be somewhat drying. I've purchased a bunch of Cover girl, Revlon Just bitten (the old version) and NYC lip stains and they all work the same way. This, on the other hand, is quite creamy and has an impressive staying power. By staying power, I'm refering to the stain it leaves. The balmy/moisturising affect eventually wears off but I don't find that bothersome. You can always just go over it with a lip balm or re-apply your lip stain. As you'll be able to tell from the swatches, it offers a nice shine without being overly glossy. 


Of the 12 available, there's a variety of different shades to choose from: some bold pinks and reds which are in line with the whole bright trends this season :)


Appearance wise, they are jumbo retractable crayons (think Clinique's chubby sticks). The twist up tube is nice so you don't have to worry about sharpening it. When applied, it has a refreshing peppermint scent (like a candy cane =P).

You can click on the pictures to see a closer view

(left to right): Cherish, Sweetheart, Honey, Darling

I would suggest looking up swatches of the shades you're interested in because the colour on the packaging can be a little bit deceiving for some of the shades. I purchased them in Honey, Cherish, Darling and Sweetheart and I'm very pleased with all four of them.

(left to right): Honey, Cherish, Sweetheart, Darling

Natural Lips: 

Honey - a mauve pink, looks very natural when applied. 

Cherish - a light blue based pink

Sweetheart- A vibrant fuchsia, but not in a neon pink sort of way.

Darling - a very pretty pink with a purple undertone.

TIP: Apply your lip colour over lip balm, if you want a sheer application. And for a vibrant, more pigmented colour, just apply it directly on the lips without anything. 

Revlon is LIPS DOWN the best at the drugstore. Their stuff just keeps getting better and better :) Try it out for yourself :)

CVS does it again! - Week of 6/10 - 6/16

8 Tresemme shampoo/conditioner trial size  $.99 each 
4 CVS Facial cleansing clothes  $4.99 each - B1G1 50% off
4 Soft Soap hand soap  $3.99 each  - B1G1 FREE
3 Physicians Formula eye cream  on clearance for $4.99 each
2 Nexxus trial size hair spray  $2.99 each
2 Gillette pro-glide razor $9.99 each
2 Gillette pro-glide cartridge refills  $16.79 each 
2 Gillette trial size shaving cream  $2.57 each
2 Pantene shampoo/conditioner  on clearance for $2.49 each
1 Gillette foam cream  $.99
1 Rimmel sexy curves mascara  on clearance for $2.12
1 CVS facial cleansing cloth trial size   $1.49
1 CVS Maxi overnight pads  14ct.  on clearance for $.74
1 Dial hand soap  $1.99 
1 lolly pop  $.57
1 caramel candy  $.33
1 Hallmark greeting card  $.99
 
$26.99 ECBs from past purchases
(4) $2/2 Tresemme shampoo/conditioner CVS coupon
(2) $2/2 CVS brand facial cleansing cloths CVS coupon
(2) $10/$30 Gillette purchase CVS coupon
(2) $3 Nexxus CVS coupon
(2) $4/20 Beauty purchase CVS coupon
$3/10 CVS brand items CVS coupon
$15 Physicians formula skincare CVS coupon
$2 any cosmetics CVS coupon
$2 Gillete cartridges CVS coupon
(4) $1 softsoap MQ
(2) Free Gillette razor when you buy Gillette cartridges MQ 
(2) $1 Gillette shave gel MQ
$1 Rimmel MQ
$3/2 Pantene MQ

Retail value: $132.40
Total OOP after tax: $2.86    earned $16 ECBs

After sales + coupons, I saved: $199.38 (not counting tax)

CVS - week of June 3rd

10 Covergirl lash blast mascaras  B1G1 50% off  $8.89 Regular Price
8 Kotex pantiliners   $.94 each (at Walmart)
2 Oral-b floss $2.77 each, get $2 ECBs
2 Tampax radiant  $3.99, get $1 ECB
Oral-b 3D white power toothbrush  $5.99, get $5 ECBs
Dawn dish soap  $.99
Puffs plus tissue box  $1.99
Skinny cow dreamy cluster pack  $1.19
Revlon luxurious color smoky crayon      on clearance for $2.62
Cramp 911 Roll        on clearance for $2.94
Simple facial wipes  7ct.  $1.99

$21.25 ECBs
(5) B1G1 Free Covergirl lashblast (cashier took off $7.50 for each one)
(4) $4/12 cosmetics CVS coupon
(3) $2 Cover girl MQ
(2) $3 Tampax radiant MQ
$2 Cramp 911 peelie (found on the product)
$1 Oral-b 3D white toothbrush MQ
$1 Oral-b floss MQ
$.75 Orab-b floss MQ
$.50 dawn dish soap
$.50 puffs tissue
$2 Simple facial care CVS coupon
20% CVS coupon


Total without coupons: $103.92
Total OOP + tax: $10.30  (out of which, $8.03 was tax)
ECBS received: $18 ECBs  (including (2) $5 beauty bucks and (2) $1 green bag tags)

After sales and coupons, I saved $151.52

May Faves

Maybelline Instant age rewind concealer in Medium

Bought it on a whim and I'M SO GLAD I DID!! I haven't been this excited to do a review in so long ohmigosh.

Usually before I purchase my beauty products, I do put in a lot of research just because its a hassle to drive to the store again, return a product (there's always a slight chance of the store not taking it back for whatever reason), find something else to exchange it with, etc etc. Yeah, but this was an exception.  I actually went in to Ulta looking for some NYX stuff and eventually ended up in the Maybelline section and picked this up despite being superrrr skeptical about it cause I hadn't heard of any reviews about it so I didn't know what to expect. (of course I got lucky cause I looked it up and it turned out to have some really great reviews) I was standing in the aisle for almost 20 minutes (maybe longer), trying to decide if I should purchase it or not, and also what shade I wanted to buy it in. I usually buy my under eye concealer a shade or two lighter just to make the eye area brighter. But the 'light' was wayyy too light for my medium skin tone so I decided to purchase it in 'medium'. I mean, if its not as light as I want it, I can always just use it as a face concealer, right? I noticed that it also comes in a 'brightener' and a 'neutraliser' - these two are on my list so after trying them out I'll let you know what I think of it.

The applicator specifically was the reason why I was hesitant because it just looks so odd @_@ But that doesn't matter anymore because NOW I LOVE ITTTT its so soft and fuzzy smooth so its gentle on the eye area and doesn't tug on the skin. When you apply the product, it does feel kinda watery like it wouldn't cover much up, but its actually very well pigmented. I really like the consistency of the product. Its light weight, but its neither super duper runny nor uber thick.

(Top): Bare eye   (Bottom): After applying concealer

What I like to do is apply a layer underneath both eyes and let it sit for a couple of seconds (so it dries a liiiiiiiil bit but at the same time, is easy to blend cause its not super dry) and then I pat it gently into the skin and blend in any harsh edges. I find that doing so gives a more full-coverage. Of course you can always just blend it right after applying it to get a medium coverage and it'll still look just as flawless.

 I might be jumping the gun when I say this, but I believe my search for the best under eye concealer just ended ._. It doesn't crease, it doesn't look cakey, doesn't settle into my fine lines or make my under-eye look dry (which many concealers do sadly) and it stays on ALL DAY. I honestly cant say enough good things about it. I'm more than half-way done with my first tube and I bought it not too long ago so that should give you an idea of how awesome this product really is
Im totally impressed
If this ever gets discontinued, I will cry and go into mourning and wear black all the time   

Revlon Photoready cream blushes in Coral Reef and Flushed

Photo credit to Aquaheart's obsessions

These cream blushes made their debut in the new Revlon Summer 2012 collection. It comes in three shades: 'Coral reef' is a bright coral. 'Flushed' is a hot fuchsia and 'Pinched' is a light peachy colour. Again, this was an impulse purchase. When I saw it in the store, I just couldn't pass it up. All the shades are absolutely gorgeous and so perfect for the summer time when you want something to spice up your make up routine.

It comes in a cute round pots that makes it very travel friendly and it has a unique gel to powder formula that feels silky to the touch. It costs $12.99 in most stores which might be more towards the expensive side but for the price you pay, you are getting a good amount of product (12.4 grams). Plus CVS and Rite Aid frequently have sales on Revlon cosmetics so I don't see why you should ever have to pay full price for it.

I really love the texture of these blushes and how beautifully it blends into my skin. If you're familiar with the NYX cream blushes, you all know how amazingly pigmented those are. In comparison to that, these photoready cream blushes only look bright and scary in the pan but actually apply quite sheer (not in a bad way). 'Flushed' gives a 'barely there' flush of pink which I think looks sooo sooo pretty on light to medium skin tones. I haven't taken any pictures with it on so I can't judge it based on its 'photo-readiness' BUT i did apply it once before video chatting with my friend and I loved the way it looked. It gave a very innocent glow. The coral shade is another stunner, it looks so natural when applied. I didn't purchase the peachy shade cause it wouldn't show up on my skin.

(left) Swatched, (right) blended 

You can definitely build up the intensity of the colours by layering if that is the look you desire but I personally like it the way it is. Its hard to go wrong with it. I think its a good product worth trying. The staying power is decent as well. If you prefer not to use it as a blush, you can even use it as a base for your regular powder blushes to help it stay vibrant for longer periods of time.

Real Techniques Setting Brush

This brush from the Samantha Chapman brush collection is the perfect shape and size for setting under eye concealer.  The bristles are tapered at the end so it distributes the product from corner to corner. Its soft, gentle and non-irritating to the eye. I've been using this every single day since I bought it. It can also be used to highlight slim areas like the bridge of the nose, etc.

Its due for cleaning ._.

Elf Powder Brush 

One of the best powder brushes I own. and its only $3 bucks
I've had this for over a year now and it has yet to shed (I've deep cleaned it several times as well). The brush is dense so whether it'd be a liquid foundation or a setting powder, it buffs it in to the skin really well and creates a flawless appearance. Looks almost airbrushed. For the price, you're getting a multi-functional brush (use it for liquid/cream foundation, powder, bronzer, etc etc). You can create sheer coverage to full coverage depending on how you use it. I don't know anybody who doesn't like this brush, plus the black handle makes it look so high-end even when its not.

Over time, the ferrule does get a little loose but I've super glued it and it hasn't given me any problems so its really not a big deal for me. This is one ELF product I always recommend to people. I've actually been planning on buying 2-3 backups so I can use it whenever my other brushes are drying but every time I'm at Target, its out of stock u__u  If you find this in your store, get one, or several, ASAP! WOO

Vera Wang Lovestruck 

Love Love Love this fragrance! I wore this a lot in May. I'm not really that good at describing scents but I would say its a good balance of fruity and floral but maybe more towards the floral/woody side. It applies a little stronger when you first spray it on but it fades into a much softer, warm musky scent. Its not overpowering by any means, which makes it suitable for almost any occasion. I love how you could use this as a sweet and feminine daytime fragrance and then transform it into a romantic night time one.

A lot of people have compared this to Vera Wang's other fragrance 'Princess' which I've purchased twice in the past and I love a lot also. Love struck is more like the mom of Princess, if that makes sense @_@ They both smell lovely but Lovestruck smells more grown up and mature than Princess. Now its not easy to get a scent across to a reader so I would suggest you go to Macys, Ulta or any other department store and try it out for yourself.

On me, the scent lasts a decent amount of time. Obviously, after a few minutes or so, I wouldn't sense it on myself because my nose would get used to the fragrance but I've had people compliment me on how nice I smelled even after 6-7 hours of spraying it on. In case you were wondering, my body chemistry brings out more of the vanilla and floral tones of the perfume ;)

I love the packaging of it too...so adorable! Its got a beautiful bouquet of roses wrapped around with a bow on the lid. It's definitely not travel friendly though, I can see myself struggling to wrap it in a way the roses don't break but that's a tiny price to pay for a fragrance so beautiful. Plus it looks delicious sitting on my dresser :) mmm

If romance had a scent - this is what it would smell like <3 Lovestruck is going to be go to scent for a long long time :)

So yeah, that marks the conclusion of my May Favourites! Hope you enjoyed reading :)