Review & Lip Swatch: Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Sweetheart

Sweetheart is a bright hot pink; it really makes your lips pop. Not literally, of course.

My Review
It definitely lasted the whole day, leaving my lips, as marketed, stained. By the end of the night, after eating dinner, it did fade, but still had a noticeable stain, especially due to the brightness of this shade. It didn't dry out my lips like other stains tend to do. 

Price

$8.99, give or take

Finally Tried Macaroons! Yummy! 8/26/12

 

They are worth the hype.

Product Empties #2- Tea Tree Oil, Clinique, Neutrogena, & more

1. Herbal Authority Tea Tree Oil Skin Wash

 Tea Tree Oil has many benefits, including treating acne, fungal infections, and dandruff. I purchased this from Vitamin World, but I know that The Body Shop sells their own kind (The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash.) This product definitely helped keep my skin clear. It's not as strong as my favorite Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam, but it's still really good. One thing I didn't like about the tea tree oil wash was the scent; I know some people feel the same way because it kind of has a medicinal scent, but it wasn't something that I couldn't get over.

2. Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam
If you've been following me for a while, you already know about my love for the Clinique Acne Solutions skincare line, which includes the Clinique Acne Solutions Cleansing Foam. Ever since I was in middle school, I've never been 100% pimple free until I started using this skin care line.


3.  Clean & Clear Deep Action Cream Cleanser
I already did a review on the Clean & Clear Deep Action Cream Cleanser a while back. I didn't really feel like it cleansed well, but I did find a way to fix that; I started using it with my Clarisonic Mia. I love the cooling sensation it gave my pores. So refreshing!


4.  Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes
The Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes are great makeup wipes because they remove all my face makeup, unless I'm wearing waterproof mascara and eyeliner. They don't burn my eyes and they don't break me out. Win!

5.  Almay Oil Free Liquid Eye Makeup Remover
This has great ingredients but it couldn't remove my waterproof eye makeup. I'd say pass on this one unless you don't wear waterproof or long-wearing eye makeup.

6. Laneige Power Essential Skin Refiner  for Sensitive Skin
Amore Pacific Laneige Power Essential Skin Refiner for Sensitive Skin is a really gentle toner. It would remove extra dirt left behind that my face wash didn't get. It doesn't dry out my skin and it doesn't sting my eyes. It's as gentle as water!

7. Palmer's Cocoa Butter Lotion for Stretch Marks
I used this Palmer's Cocoa Butter Lotion for Stretch Marks as an all over body lotion which I think was the best use out of it. As for improving the appearance of stretch marks, it did slightly soften the appearance but other than that, it didn't do anything miraculous.

8. Degree Women's Body Mist in Sexy Intrigue
Degree Women's Body Mist in Sexy Intrigue is one of my all time favorite scents. I went through so many bottles of this. It has a scent of jasmine, rose, and vanilla.

9. E.l.F. Mineral Foundation
E.l.F.'s Mineral Foundation was a go-to product for me since I used to only wear powder foundations. It didn't give incredible coverage but it did help reduce the appearance of the redness on my face. I grabbed this when I wanted the natural/no-makeup look.

 10. Wet n Wild Mega Eyes Creme Eyeliner
Wet n Wild Mega Eyes Creme Eyeliner is creamy, cheap, and easy to use. The only downfall for me is that it smudges because I have oily lids. But if you don't have oily lids, I'd definitely recommend you give this a go. 

 11. Clinique Colour Surge Lip Gloss in Prettiest Pink
Clinique Colour Surge Lip Gloss in Prettiest Pink is such a pretty gloss with gorgeous shimmer. You can see this swatched on my lips here.

Guest Blogger Series 2.0: "The Convenient Beauty" sharing her new love, L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows in Bronzed Taupe and Liquid Diamond

Who is she? Today, we have the lovely Joanne from The Convenient Beauty

1) When and why did you start blogging?

I started my blog in February 2011 to document my love for makeup and release my husband from all the beauty talks he had to endure:)

2) What is the focus of your blog? 
The beauty products that I love mixed with random thoughts on life, health, movies, music, fashion etc.. I rant about makeup occasionally too. 

3) What is your current high-end makeup product and why? 
Burberry Sheer Eyeshadows are my current favorites. They are soft without powdery, smooth, buildable, blendable, and long-wearing with a standard primer. They are certainly sheer as the name indicates yet can be built up for opacity and intensity. Love love love!

4) What is your current drugstore makeup product and why? 
L'Oreal infallible eyeshadows in Bronzed Taupe and Liquid Diamond. Hands down. And I'm sharing my thoughts in this guest post:). Not all the shades of the line are this good but these two are exceptional. Long-wearing, flattering, versatile and chic!

5) What are your current favorite beauty or fashion blogs at the moment? 
Tough choice! I love reading beauty blogs but I'll try to focus on the current favorites. I would say A Vain Woman, Will Work For Makeup and this blog of course. I recently discovered so many great drugstore products and love to learn more. These bloggers have great sense of style and very helpful reviews. Love them!

6) What is your life motto? 
Be myself. Open heart. It sounds cliche I know but it's so true for me. I also try to focus on the present, not regretting the past or anxious about the future. I'm still working on it but I've gotten better. 

7) Is there anything else you would like to say? 
I really enjoy writing this guest post. Thank you Christine for the experience! I hope you girls enjoy my sharing and join this guest post series. I think it's a great idea to meet new friends. 

 

Today, I share with you my new love L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows in Bronzed Taupe and Liquid Diamond ($6.97 for 0.12 oz at my local Wal-Mart). 

L'Oreal infallible eyeshadows include various finishes, most of which are shimmery. The color selection is quite large but I'm prone to more chic and wearable colors. I picked up Bronzed Taupe a few months back and loved it so much. When L'Oreal released new colors, I jumped into Liquid Diamond. Both shades are extremely wearable.

Bronzed Taupe is, well, a bronzed taupe. It's universally flattering due to this duo pigments. Not too cool nor too warm. I love to wear it alone and build up the color at the outer corner. 

Liquid Diamond is one of the latest additions to the line, a lavender-tinted cool silver. The lavender shimmer makes it more sophisticated and easier to wear on warm skin tone like mine. It also separates Liquid Diamond from the shimmery true silvers that often looks too ashy for medium yellow skintone. 

Both Bronzed Taupe and Liquid Diamond have buttery smooth texture infused with delicate shimmer. Usually, I stay away from shimmery eyeshadows, not this time. The shimmer is so well-done that it accentuates the elegance of the colors. It's very finely milled and understated, yet gives enough boost for the color. When used lightly, it gives just a sheen for the eyelids. It can be layered for more intense night time looks. 

The infallible eyeshadows stay fresh for 10 hours with a primer on my lids. They crease after 4 hours without a primer.

Swatches

Ever since their launch, L'Oreal infallible eyeshadows have been welcome as the drugstore alternatives for Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill eyeshadows (reviews of Pulp Fiction, Blast of Blue and Purpura, Khaki Pulse, Rock Sand) ($32 for 0.14 oz). I think they're very similar yet have two major differences.

1. L'Oreal infallible eyeshadows are monochromatic. Some of them contain pop of shimmer like Liquid Diamond. Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill have duo-chromatic pigments making them more unique in shades. That doesn't mean they're prettier than the L'Oreal but they're harder to dupe, in my opinion. Plus, the two lines don't have much overlap in shade range. Just different color selection.

2. I do need a primer underneath L'Oreal infallible eyeshadows to keep them stay put all day. I don't need one for Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill. From my personal experience, Giorgio Armani's are more heavy-duty.

Bottom line. Love. Totally in love! Liquid Diamond and Bronzed Taupe work great both as everyday eyeshadows and dramatic touch for night time looks. If you're on a budget, L'Oreal infallible eyeshadows are tremendous alternatives for Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill eyeshadows.

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Thanks for the guest post, Joanne!

I hope you ladies enjoyed reading Joanne's post as much as I did.

Don't forget to check out her blog at http://theconvenientbeauty.blogspot.com

If any of you are interested in doing a guest post, you can find all the info. here.

Lips of the Day: Mac & Revlon

I've been into layering lip products lately, and recently, I've been loving this combo.

I first apply Mac's cremestick liner in Creamola all over my lips, which makes a wonderful base for my lips. It allows lip products to glide on my lips smoothly, which surprised me. 

Next, I apply Revlon's lip butter in Creamsicle which is one of my favorite lip butters.

Lastly, I apply Revlon's lip butter in Sweet Tart.

L-R: Creamola, Creamsicle, Sweet Tart

Guest Blogger Series 2.0: "Emmabovarybeauty" with her mini review on the Dior Amber Diamond highlighter

Who is she? Today, we have the Lovely Emma from Emmabovarybeauty

1) When and why did you start blogging? 
I started blogging in November 2010,  as I had a burning desire to chat about makeup. Once I figured out that I could combine my love of writing with beauty, I was hooked!

2) What is the focus of your blog?
My tagline is “…blogging about the things that make life beautiful” which generally encompasses makeup looks, collection reviews, skincare and fragrance reviews. I also share my hauls, which I love doing as they are some of my favourite posts to read.

3) What is your current favourite high-end makeup product & why?
At the moment I am having a love affair with Burberry’s beauty offerings, particularly their eye shadow in Pale Barley and their Lip Mist in Copper. The quality of Burberry is just sublime, and the packaging is a sight to behold.

4) What is your current favorite drugstore makeup product & why?
I am loving the Bourjois 123 Perfect liquid foundation right now, it covers really well and I’ve garnered compliments about my skin when in fact it’s been quite bad lately. An amazing feat for such a cheap foundation!

5) What are you current favorite beauty or fashion blogs at the moment?
I adore Essie Button (http://www.essiebutton.com/) for her natural ease and humour, and Getting Cheeky (http://www.gettingcheeky.com/) is one I am always excited to read.

6) What is your life motto?
A simple one- to take things as they come, and remember that there are always people out there who are doing it tougher than you.

7) Is there anything else you would like to say?
I’d love to thank Christine for lending me a piece of her online space to visit you all! I love finding new blogs to read and I hope that I’ve made some new friends with this opportunity.

I have decided to share a mini review on one of the most beloved makeup items from my ever-growing collection. The Dior Amber Diamond highlighter is a staple in many makeup bags, and is soon to be discontinued. Amber Diamond can be used traditionally as a cheekbone highlight, but it is also lovely when swept over the lid or used as a brow highlight. The separated shades make this really easy to do, and means that the price of the item stings less when you can get more than one use from it.

The peachy shade is perfect for pale skin tones like mine, but looks incredible on olive or darker skin tones as well.

Having something luxurious in your makeup kit is bound to make you feel amazing, and for me Amber Diamond gives me that pep in both mood and appearance that I need each morning. I definitely think that it is a must have, and urge you to run to your nearest Dior counter before it is too late!

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Thanks for the guest post, Emma!
I hope you ladies enjoyed reading Emma's post of her mini review on the Dior Amber Diamond highlighter!
It's such a gorgeous product!

Don't forget to check out her blog at Emmabovarybeauty

If any of you are interested in doing a guest post, you can find all the info. here.

 

Review: Jordana Powder Blushes in Touch of Pink & Redwood

Hi everyone! Today's review is on the Jordana powder blushes in Touch of Pink and Redwood.

 Jordana is actually the sister company of Milani. Since I love Milani cosmetics, I wanted to look more into Jordana cosmetics.

Touch of Pink & Redwood

 Touch of Pink is a pink shade with a hint of coral.

 Redwood is a corally-red shade with shimmer.

L-R: Touch of Pink, Redwood

My Thougts

 These Jordana blushes have a smooth texture, are pigmented, and are long-lasting. They come in plastic packaging with a clear screw cap.

Availability:

Overall, I definitely recommend these, especially for those who are on a budget. The only con that I can think of is that the packaging may not be favorable for a lot of girls, but I personally don't mind.