Shop My Stash... #1 part 2

You can view Part One here.
Let's jump in,

Eyes:
Although the picture may appear otherwise, I really haven't given much love to my Benefit Eye Bright in a while! My love for this product is endless. It's not too creamy, it's not too dry. It's the perfect texture. It's also the perfect color! I mean, hello!? Why hasn't another makeup company come out with a pale pink eye brightener like this? It's convenient, because all you do is draw it on. It's easy, because you only need your finger to blend. And lastly, the shade of this product is perfection. It's not a stark white, frosty or shimmer finish, it just looks so natural in the inner corner and just under your brow. You look more awake and you get a subtle depth to your eyes, even if you don't apply any other makeup that day! It's also nice to apply on your cupid's bow and blended out under your lower lash line to make your eyes look bigger!

Lips:
I mentioned in part 1 of Shop My Stash how there was a point in time I really loved the E.L.F. Glossy Glosses. But I now realize these aren't that extraordinary. Don't get me wrong, their not a bad product, but they just don't wow me. They have a okay constancy; smooth, thick, and a bit sticky. They have a slight sent but it's not bothersome. One thing that sets these apart is the brush tip applicator, instead of your typical doe foot. You don't see many drugstore glosses with a wand like these. Sadly, my main problem with these is that. The wand. As you can see in the picture, the bristles don't stay together. They spread out and look bizarre. It doesn't make applying them harder really, just uncomfortable. The bristles pointing in different directions kinda poke at your lips and feel scratchy. Unfortunately I wouldn't really recommend these, but they aren't the worst.

Top: Tangy Tangerine
Bottom: Pink Candy 

Face:
I normally get along well with Rimmel's face products. They make good quality products that are affordable and work well with my skin. For the most part. I hoped that after giving this another try I'd love it. Sadly, I'm still not crazy about it for the same reasons I wasn't before. When I apply it, if I take too long to blend it, the product gathers and rolls off my skin almost. It looks as if it's peeling off my face? It's hard to explain but I think the pictures show what I'm trying to say. It's very unattractive and takes extra time to correct. This happens no matter how I apply it. I've used my fingers, brushes, and my beauty blender and I still get the same result. I really wanted to like this because I've heard lots of good things about it from other people, and other than these troubles I really liked everything else about it. I'll use it up but I won't be repurchasing.

Shade: LIGHT

Rimmel's BB Cream is the only product applied in this picture

I'm sorry this isn't the most flattering picture!

Random:
I've used over half the bottle of my Boots No. 7 Expert Sensitive Gentle Refreshing Toner. This is nice because it is gentle and refreshing and I'm sure this would work great if you have sensitive skin. I won't repurchase because I need a deep clean feeling from my skin care and this was to gentle for me. I couldn't feel it working... and I prefer my products to be just harsh enough for me to know they're doing something. I'm sure this would be great for many of you who don't want that deep clean feeling, especially if you have sensitive skin!

Until next time,

xoxo,
Glimmer

Review: NYX Butter Glosses

NYX is one of those makeup brands that I think preform really similarly to high end products. When they released these new glosses a few months back, I nearly fell over with excitement 'cause well all know how much I LOVE lip products!

So... Are these a Do or Don't recommend!? 

NYX makes some really nice lip products. Their mega shine glosses are beautiful but I can't stand use them because of their scent. Some people love it but its really heavily cherry scented, and I reminds me of cough medicine! (Gak) But these butter glosses smell amazing! It's sweet and yummy like cake batter but its not overpowering. Don't worry, if you are sensitive to smell, it's not noticeable once you apply the gloss.

The two shades shown are Peach Cobbler and Vanilla Cream Pie.

Their consistency is thin and smooth they feel really nice on the lips. They have great pigmentation and look nice and glossy. They have no shimmer or glitter, and I love that their finish is so creamy. They look almost milky on your lips.

Top: Peach Cobbler
Bottom: Vanilla Cream Pie

They are super nourishing. I don't feel like I need to put on a lip balm before or after I wear these. After it wears away my lips feel smooth and hydrated. 

Because these aren't sticky and they don't have much tack to them, they last maybe 2 hours max. That's if you don't drink anything. I don't mind though because I actually enjoy reapplying them! 

 They have a standard does foot applicator that's nice and soft and easy to use.

Vanilla Cream Pie

Peach Cobbler 

On the lips swatches:

Top: Peach Cobbler
Bottom: Vanilla Cream Pie

These are definitely a DO recommend!!

Tired them? I'd love to hear what you think!

Xoxo,

Glimmer 

Review: Benefit POREfessional Face Primer

"Oil free, lightweight, translucent, and silky." That's how Benefit describes their POREfessional primer. If it's all those things, that sounds like perfection in a tube!

From Benefit:

Why we love it:

Quickly minimize the appearance of pores & fine lines for smoother-than-smooth skin! Apply this silky, lightweight balm alone, under or over makeup. Translucent, oil-free formula complements all skintones and helps makeup stay put. Contains a Vitamin E derivative, known to protect skin from free radicals.

How to apply:

To use under makeup: Apply to clean, lightly moisturized skin. Pat on problem areas & blend with fingertips.

To use over makeup: Pat on lightly over makeup & blend.

PRIME IN THE A.M.
Apply a thin layer of this PRO balm to clean, lightly moisturized skin. Pat lightly from the center of the face outward with fingertips. Wait seconds, then apply makeup as usual. Skin appears smooth & even…isn’t that what we’re all looking for?

APPLY WHENEVER PORES COME OUT OF HIDING
If pores reappear, pat delicately on T-zone over makeup & blend. The lightweight, oil-free formula means a beautifully refined complexion. Remember, just a dab’ll do ya!

info credit: Benefit

This is a silicone based primer, and it comes out of the tube kinda creamy. It's a flesh tone shade but it blends into the skin and becomes transparent. It does have a scent, a pretty... almost perfume like fragrance. The smell fades away as the primer melts into your skin.

I'm not sure if this primer actually makes a difference in the staying power of my makeup, but it does do a decent job hiding my pores and making my makeup apply smoothly and evenly. It doesn't keep my skin matte, so if you're looking for that, this isn't the primer for you. It doesn't promise to do so, but there are other primers that do help with oil control, and this isn't one of them.

What I think is particularly unique about this primer is that Benefit says you can apply it over your makeup if your pores become real visible. But if you applied before putting your makeup on, it should last shouldn't it? Hhmmm... I've never seen another primer advertise this, but hey, if it works, sounds good to me!
When I tested this, I wore my makeup for about 5 hours before I smoothed a small amount over my cheeks to fill in my (slightly more noticeable then before) pores. I think it made my face a appear more matte, but it didn't hide my pores. I expected makeup I was wearing to create a barrier between my skin and the new layer of primer. I was right. It absorbed into my skin, but it didn't penetrate my makeup and fill my pores. 

The tube packaging does get dirty rather easily, so please excuse the makeup that's on the tube!

I like this primer and I do think it preforms well. The only cons that impacts my decision to repurchase would be the $30 price point! Ouch... and the fact that it doesn't help with oil control. I don't know if I would repurchase this item because I do think there are a few less expensive alternatives that work just as well. 

But if you have a problem with pores, this works well. I do recommend! But like I said, I won't repurchase. 

xoxo,

Glimmer 

MAC re-launches MAC by Request Program!

Mac is re-launching, (again) their MAC by Request program! This time MAC will be re-promoting products from the 90's! MAC's program allows fans to vote on the discontinued eye shadows and lipsticks that you would like MAC to re-promote! The three eye shadows and three lipsticks that receive the most votes from you, the fans, will be re-launched by MAC and will be available to purchase at MAC counters and online in the winter. You can vote now on MAC's facebook page everyday until July 21. 

Vote Here.

What products would you like to see make a come back!? 
I'd love to hear your thoughts!

xoxo,
Glimmer 

Best E.L.F. Brushes! Mini Reviews and My Favorites:

Makeup brushes can be expensive if you decide to purchase them high end, but if you grab the good ones, you can get some really nice quality brushes for a low price!

E.L.F makes so awesome brushes. I'm not crazy about all of them, and some are better quality than others, but these are the ones I am absolutely in love with! Take a look:

These brushes start at a dollar. Yes you read right, $1!! These are 2 from the Essential Line that I highly recommend.

First, their Essential Eye Shadow Brush, just your basic, generic, ordinary eye shadow brush, is amazing. For $1, you can't go wrong. This brush packs the shadow on really nicely, and it's a good size, not too large, not too small.

The Essential Blending Brush which is again, $1, is a soft and perfect size brush for your crease. I don't think it's large or fluffy enough to blend, but it's just the right size and shape to define your crease and sweep shadow above your lashes!

Now moving onto their Studio line, these brushes are $3, & there are quite a few more brushes I have to rave about.

E.L.F. Studio Powder Brush: You NEED this brush. I can't say enough good things about this brush!... But you can ignore the name. It's dense and soft, perfect for liquid/cream/whipped foundation. I use it for BB Cream and tinted Moisturizer all the time. It's flexible, perfect for any powder. I use it to set my makeup as well. And it has a flat top, allowing it to buff any product, any formula, any consistency, flawlessly into the skin. It's amazing. Like I said, no matter what face product you use it for, you NEED it, because it's not JUST for powder. For $3 you will not find another brush this spectacular and not to mention, versatile.

E.L.F. Studio Small Stipple Brush: If you have, or ever plan to wear cream/whipped blush or rouge, you NEED this brush. Are you sensing a trend? I promise, I don't say you need anything very often, but E.L.F. makes some amazing quality brushes for an amazing price. And this one is just small enough, precise enough, and thick enough to blend the product in and make it look unbelievably natural and almost airbrushed. It can be used multiple ways, to apply multiple products. I also like the way it applies cream and liquid highlighters!

E.L.F. Studio Flawless Concealer Brush: I'm not gonna say you need this brush. But I need this brush, and you may find that you do too. I'll tell you why, I don't wear foundation on a regular basis, hardly ever. That being said I expect a lot from my concealers. And I think the way this brush applies concealer, improves the coverage it gives. It blends it in very delicately and doesn't buff it in harsh at all. If you use the right motion... it gives the appearance that the concealer melted into your skin. It's very natural and I love it for both cream concealers, and my Bare Minerals Summer Bisque powder concealer, because it's just fluffy enough to blend it in quickly, without looking powdery.

E.L.F Studio Small Tapered Brush: This is perfect for contouring the hollows of your cheeks, highlighting your temples and cheeks, hitting the small crevices of your face, and setting your under eye area. It's soft, on the smaller side, fluffy, and as it says in the name, tapered. The semi rounded top makes the product apply very softly, and creates a beautiful finish. This is a muti-use brush that's just super handy to have around.

Have you tried any? I'd LOVE to hear what you think!

xoxo,
Glimmer

Shop My Stash #1 part 1

Happy Monday! Hope you all have a great beginning of your week!
If you haven't read my description of Shop My Stash you can do so here!

So let's get started!

Eyes: Benefit Eye Bright

My long time love, but lately forgotten Benefit Eye Bright will be the eye product I'm gonna tray and grab for more often this week! And maybe I'll even attempt to finish it up...! 

Lips: E.L.F. Glossy Gloss

I've been testing a lot of new lip products lately, so I've over looked a lot of what I have. So this week I thought I'd give my E.L.F. Glossy Gloss another go. There was a point in time where I really loved these, and I do have a few. But I think I'm going to take this week to see if my opinions have changed at all. 

Face: Rimmel BB Cream

When this first came out, I picked this up like my life depended on it. I mean literally... I looked everywhere so I could have it immediately. And I heard great things about it too. But I didn't love it.. and it kinda got tossed to the back of my face makeup. So I've decided to give it another chance and see if I change my mind before I totally dismiss it! 

Random: Boots No. 7 Expert Sensitive Gentle Refreshing Toner

Could they have given this a longer name? But beyond that, a while ago I picked this up wanting to try it. I don't really remember my thoughts or how this worked on my skin, because I haven't used it in ages! Hopefully I'll have good things to say at the end of the week! 

NEW Novelties!? Neutrogena NEW additions to Naturals Line

Neutrogena added some products to their Naturals line a couple months ago and I thought I'd let you all know!
These should be up in stores already, but they don't have a display, so I thought I'd show you guys if you hadn't seen them. Check in the regular Neutrogena section if you're interested.

Naturals Acne Cream Cleanser:

Product Description:

Clinically proven acne medicine treats and help prevents breakouts. Fortified with an acne fighting bionutrient from the wintergreen leaf for clear, healthy looking skin.

This creamy formula lathers to gently cleanse and thoroughly remove pore-clogging oil, dirt and impurities. Powerful natural salicylic acid powerfully penetrates down into pores to treat breakouts and help prevent new ones from forming.

Cream cleansers are supposedly better for your skin than foaming ones. Will you be trying this one out?

Naturals Acne Foaming Scrub:

Product Description: 

Clinically proven acne medicine treats and helps prevent breakouts. Fortified with an acne fighting bionutrient from the wintergreen leaf for clear, healthy looking skin.

Powerful natural salicylic acid powerfully penetrates down into pores to treat breakouts and help prevent new ones from forming. Exfoliating microbeads sweep away excess oil, dirt, and dead skin cells to soften skin.

I am on the market for a new face scrub... Maybe i'll give this one a go?

Naturals Acne Spot Treatment:

Product Description: 

Clinically proven acne medicine treats and helps prevent breakouts. Fortified with an acne fighting bionutrient from the wintergreen leaf for clear, healthy looking skin. 

With powerful natural salicylic acid, this spot treatment penetrates down into pores to treat breakouts and help prevent breakouts. 

This I definitely want to try! I hope I can get my hands on it soon.

Already tried them? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

info credit: neutrogena.com

xoxo,

Glimmer

Review: Maybelline FIT ME Shine-Free Foundation Stick:

Hey guys!

Today I've got my review on the new Maybelline FIT ME Shine Free Foundation Stick. Maybelline is one of my favorite drugstore brands, so when they come out with something new, I'm definitely one to try it.

I purchased shade 130 and it matches my skin well.

Let me start by saying I don't normally wear foundation. A tinted moisturizer or BB Cream maybe, but I just don't feel I need something heavy coverage in my skin. But for some reason, this product sparked my interest. Possibly because I have combination-oily skin, which this product is marketed towards.

Maybelline Claims: "Our first gel stick foundation with an anti-shine core. Fresh gel foundation blends to a flawless matte finish. Lightweight powders in the anti-shine core instantly dissolve excess oil." Available in 12 shades. 

As you can see in the pictures below, this product does have a solid, clear-ish white core surrounded by foundation. Maybelline claims this is an Anti-Shine core. 

Is that false advertising? 

I normally apply a primer under all my face products to smooth out my skin and minimize my pores. With a primer on, I didn't have a problem with saying power. It lasted all day until I used makeup remover to take it off.

I didn't test it without primer, but I did test it with and without setting powder. I do get oily in my T-Zone, so with out powder I expected to see some shine coming through, even though it claims to be shine free. Today is was 112 degrees outside and I did notice I got shiney, But it wasn't extreme at all, and normally, without powder, I would be a hot mess! So I definitely think the anti-shine properties work to control oil for a little while, but a light dusting of setting powder would probably help out! 

Shade 130

I didn't particularly find the texture of this product "gel" like. It's more of a cream. It does blend to a matte finish, and it's very light weight. I love that. You don't feel like you have on a foundation and when you touch your face you don't get that excess foundation or cakey feel. 

I also wanted to mention that this is not the foundation to use a sponge or beauty blender to apply. I found that when I did, it didn't cover as well and was harder to blend out.
My preferred method of application is my Sigma F80 or F82. 


I think Maybelline did a really great job with this one!

You have to play with it a while, but after a couple applications you will get the trick.

Before you run out and buy it, I just want to get something out in the open. Stick foundations aren't for every one. 

I'm glad Maybelline marketed this towards oily skin, because if your skin is dry, this won't work for you. Adter testing it a while, I found it may cling to dry patches you may have, or any flaky skin on your face. You really don't want to emphasize that aspect of your skin, so if that's a concern for you, I'd say skip it. 


Hope I was helpful =) I like this product and hope you do too! 

xoxo,
Glimmer <3 

Shop My Stash...

I have a lot of makeup. I'm a new beauty blogger but even before I created glimmerbeauty, I've had this passion for makeup. And when you have a passion like I do, you tend to gather a lot of what you love! (Okay so maybe not everyone but hey, I do!) So I thought I'd create a segment here on my blog where I "Shop My Stash." I'll look through my collection and pick out a few things I haven't reached for in a while. One product for eyes, lips, face, exc. I'll create a post about the items I choose, and then at the end of the week, I'll create another post telling you about how I like or dislike my rediscoveries!! I'll do this every once in a while to stay on top of things, as well as let you know some favorites and my not so favorites :)

I just thought I'd let you know! My first edition of Shop My Stash will go up tomorrow (Monday 7/8)

With love,

xoxo,
Glimmer

Follow Me On Twitter!

I'm hitting up the social media sites one at a time! Check me out on twitter :)

@xoglimmerbeauty 

And if you missed my last social media post, you can follow me on Instagram at xo_glimmerbeauty!

Love you all!

xoxo,

Glimmer