Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Essie Fall Collection NOW AVAILABLE!

Essie's soon to be raved about Fall 2013 Collection is now available online at Ulta.com! With 5 dashing new shades, you'll sure love your nails this Autumn season.

I myself can't wait for fall... Who doesn't love it? I can already smell the leaves falling and the Bath and Body Works fall candles burning in my living room.


xoxo,
Glimmer 

I Heart Drugstore Makeup Tag!

I've been dying to do this tag for ages now and I'm just now sitting down to share it with you. This tag was created by Makeup By Ali (ages and ages and ages ago) and I thought it would be super fun to share with you my answers to these questions!

Before we hop right in, I just want to tell you how hard it was to do this tag. Especially if you love drugstore products, like me! So I definitely had to narrow some stuff down!

1. What is your favorite drugstore makeup brand overall?

Okay, how is this not the hardest question of all time!? I love at least something from every brand! It's so hard to choose! I also feel like it kinda depends on whats new. But if I absolutely have to choose I'd say Maybelline. There's very few products I've tried from them that I haven't liked and I feel like they have all their bases covered. They have great Face, Eyes, and Lip products and I know if I could only use Maybelline products, I could still be happy with my makeup! I also really love NYX, and I've stated before that I think their quality and variations of products really compete with high end products, which I think is a quality that every drugstore brand should aim for.



2. What are your favorite face, cheek and lip products?

Face: I don't wear "base" makeup on a daily basis, i.e. foundation, BB Cream, Tinted Moisturizer, so I wanted to tell you about some things that I find truly necessary/important. I've mentioned my Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette way more than once. I included it in my HG Concealer post a month or so ago. I also included my E.L.F. Maximum Coverage Concealer in that post. I have to have these concealers around always. 




For cheeks I couldn't not tell you about Milani and NYX. I couldn't choose one or the other because they are both so amazing. Milani's baked blushes are down right gorgeous in the pan and on your cheeks. And NYX is just impeccable. I love both their powder and cream blushes. If you've never tried either of these brand's blushes you are missing out! And I know I'm piling on the products here but I really wanted to mention Sleek blushes. This is a UK drugstore or High Street brand but it is available online for those of us living in the US. They recently lowered their shipping cost so I highly encourage you to give their oh so incredible blushes a go!


Top: NYX Powder Blush in Peach, NYX Stick Blush in Orchid, NYX Powder Blush in Pinched
Bottom: NYX Rouge Cream Blush in Tickled 

Left: Corolina Right: Luminoso 

Lips: Oh my. This was unbearably hard to narrow down. I could write a novel about all my faves. If you've read any number of my posts you know how obsessed I am with lippies, I love so may it's hard to choose! 
But I do truly love my Revlon Super Lustrous Shine Lipsticks, as well as the Revlon Lip Butters. They are a must have in my collection. Revlon really knows their stuff when it comes to lip products! I also have a deep love for my NYX Butter Glosses and my Rimmel Stay Glossey Glosses! Another product I simply can't live without is my Nivea Lip Butter in Raspberry. Not only is it super hydrating it smells amazing. 


Fuchsia Shock
Vanilla Cream Pie & Peach Cobbler 
3. Least favorite product?

This was not hard for me to decide. At all. I love E.L.F. but this product was beyond a fail for me. The E.L.F. Waterproof Eyeliner Crayon is a complete waste of money. I can't express enough my DISLIKE for this product. The only reason I still have it on hand is so I can eventually do a "Products I Regret Purchasing" post. Don't waste your money girls, there are WAY better products worth your time. 

4. What is the best makeup bargain?

I plan on having a whole mini-series up soon about this particular topic. I'm definitely one to go and find a great deal if there is one. One bargain that is unbeatable is the price of E.L.F. Studio Brushes and the quality you receive.  If you walk into the drugstore sure, there are some great brands like EcoTools and Real Techniques that make great brushes for an affordable price. Don't get me wrong I love both brands, but their brushed aren't $3. If you're speaking of deals, you can't get better brushes than E.L.F's $3 Studio Line brushes. I have an entire post on my must haves from their line that you can view here.

5. What is your favorite underdog product? (Something you love that often 
gets overlooked?)

The Maybelline Full n Soft Mascara is one of my favorite mascaras. I never hear very many beauty bloggers or YouTuber guru's mention it! It's such a great product I really do think it deserves some more hype! And the waterproof version is perfect for summer because it is waterproof, but it's not too hard to remove. 


WATERPROOF VERSION

6. A drugstore product that is overpriced?

Hhmmm... That's a hard one. Over all I think drugstore foundations are becoming a little too pricey these days. You don't want to go to the drugstore and pay $16 for a foundation, that's silly. But if I had to pick something more specific that is... I think Physicians Formula makeup as a whole is a little too pricey. depending on what drugstore you buy it from you can pay close to $20 for their products. That's way too close to high end money for drugstore makeup. But I do absolutely love some of their items so sometimes its worth it. 

7. Show your best drugstore dupe(s)!!

I actually have an entire post dedicated to this dupe coming soon, but I found an almost if not exact dupe for the oh so famous, and most commonly duped blush, NARS Orgasm. That post will be up soon! 

But for now, I will share with you a few of my favorite dupes of the moment. 

Boots No. 7 Illuminating Lotion is an exact dupe for Benefit High Beam. You get way more product with Boots No. 7 and the finish is identical. It's also a lot cheaper, obviously, and it is available at Target. 

ELF's Mineral Lipstick in Natural Nymph is almost an exact, exact dupe for MAC's Creme D' Nude, although the formulation is a bit different.  

My next dupe is for Stila Lip Glazes. They retail for are $22! For $1, yes $1, you can get the ELF Hypershine Lipgloss. They have the same twist up brush tip applicator, and the same slightly thick, sticky consistency

Lastly, ELF's Eye Refresh is $3 and is basically the same product as Clinique's All About Eyes Serum (deluxe sample size shown below) And the liquid-y products inside has the same consistency and the roller balls both have that same cooling feeling. 






8. Drugstore product that isn't worth the hype?

I am almost 100% Convinced that when I buy a product that everyone raves about, and it just doesn't work for me, that I've gotten a bad tube or pan or pot or whatever. Because that must be the only solution right? If everyone on earth loves something and it isn't as amazing when I try it, I must have gotten the rotten egg of the bunch, so to speak. However, I don't think that was the case with the Loreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara. Unfortunately I no longer have the actual tube to share with you, but chances are you've seen it. I loved the wand on this and when I opened it up I was so hoping to love it. And I tried and I tried and no matter how I applied it I just couldn't love this mascara like I wanted to! *sigh* 

I hope this was informative and fun for you guys to read :)
Talk to you later! 

xoxo,
Glimmer 

NEW NOVELTIES!? Urban Decay NEW RELEASES!!

Is the excitement boiling inside you too?

Now available at Ulta Urban Decay has just released a few new products I can't wait to share with you.

Anti-Aging Primer Potion:
A new spin on their original primer potion, Urban Decay promises crease free shadow while minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in just 8 weeks! Oooh La La. Sounds great to me. For an extra $4 on the already pricey primer, Urban Decay says their new primer contains "Optical blurring pigments minimize flaws while Dermaxyl and Kalpariane fight the signs of aging."


Urban Decay's new lipstick is: "Badass luxury in a tube." Is it now? I just might be interested. Urban Decay promises insane color and crazy shine that plumps lips and makes them cushion-y soft. Can we just take a minute to discuss the names of these lipsticks? I posted the cleanest one down below, but all though they are a bit naughty... come on you gotta laugh a little.


Naked Skin Ultra Definition Pressed Finishing Powder:

There has been buzz about this new powder for months now and if I do say so myself I'm a little bit intrigued. You see, Urban Decay says this is no ordinary pressed powder. "The next evolution in Naked Skin, Urban Decay's addictively silky, weightless finishing powder has a luminous, demi-matte Naked finish that blends flawlessly to set makeup and cut shine." I can't wait to see what "demi-matte" means. Sounds very luxurious.


Lastly is Urban Decay's new and "EXTREMELY Limited Edition" nail colors are here. Since these are extremely, and not just regularly, limited edition, I suggest you grab these while you can if you're interested.


What will you be trying? Anything strike your fancy?

xoxo,
Glimmer




Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Mini IONI Makeup Haul:

Today I'm going to share with you the few IONI items I purchased while I was on my mini vacation! If you haven't already, you can read my post that explains IONI and gives you more in-depth details of the brand here. I didn't buy very many things at all but I thought this post might be helpful for many people who are new to the brand.

I purchased 2 blushes in the shades Affair and Miss Bliss. I've used these a couple times and I plan on reviewing them soon!

Left: Affair Right: Miss Bliss
Like I said, this is a super short haul, the last thing I purchased was their 8 Hour Wear Eyeshadow Primer. I went home, tried this, went back and bought another before I left Texas. Again, I will have a review up soon! One I'm very excited to write that's for sure!


What to you think? Reviews coming soon!

xoxo,
Glimmer

Review: NEW Clean&Clear Morning Burt Gel Moisturizer (comparison)

I was SUPER excited to try this brand new moisturizer Clean&Clear released this month. If you haven't spotted it yet, don't worry, it's coming! 

I have combo/oily skin so I prefer to use gel moisturizers rather than lotions and cream. That's why I was dying to give this one a go. Clean&Clear is one of my favorite skin care brands and I use a few of their products in my daily routine. 



At the top in the picture above is the Clean&Clear Moisturizer. At the bottom is the Garnier Moisture Rescue Gel Moisturizer for dry skin. (I use this at night because it's just a tad more hydrating than the original) As you can see Clean&Clear's is a transparent white-ish shade. The consistency between the two is very very similar.

Another similarity between the 2 is they both smell amazing. Clean&Clears is a fruity, melon-y, cucumber scent where Garnier's is a semi-fruity refreshing scent.

This product comes in a generous sized squeeze tube and contains 3 oz. of product.

I find this is best to use in the morning. It's light weight, and cooling to wake you up. It doesn't make my skin feel greasy at all and it absorbs into my skin fairly quickly. It's a slightly thin consistency and after you blend it in a bit it feels like you're smoothing slightly thick water into your face. I know that sounds odd but what I'm trying to explain is that it's very refreshing, like water, and feels like water, instead of oils or creamy solutions.

As far as hydration goes, I like this as a light splurge in the morning to refresh, wake me up, and hydrate my face slightly before I apply my makeup. I use the word slightly because it's so light weight, it's not the moist hydrating moisturizer. The Garnier version is a bit more moisturizing, both the oily and dry skin versions, but I think this is great for the morning because it's not overly hydrating.

I do really like this product and recommend it for oily skin as a lighter morning time moisturizer as the name initials.

Tell me about your favorite moisturizer down below!

xoxo,
Glimmer

Info and SPOTTED: IONI Cosmetics

Chances are you've never heard of the brand I'm about to tell you of. It's fairly new and not sold at very many locations, but I encourage you to keep reading!

IONI Cosmetics is a brand sold at Fred's stores (located on the southern side of the US.) Currently, that is the only main distributor of this brand. However, if you live in or plan to visit Texas, I spotted a small display at HEB. (pictures below)
If you have neither of these stores near you, you can visit ionimakeup.com and place an order OVER THE PHONE. I wish there was an online purchasing option, but hopefully the brand will expand and be sold in more locations.

This is the small-ish display I found at an HEB.



I'm so sorry for the horrible picture quality. The display was one the floor, in a hard to reach spot.

The display includes:

2 shades of blushes:



Bronzer Duo:



3 Eyeshadow Duo's:


An Eye Primer:



3 Different Mascaras: (volumizing, lengthening, curling)



And 2 Different Liners:




Again I am so sorry for the horrible picture quality!

I did purchase a few things and I will have a small IONI Makeup Haul coming soon :)

xoxo,
Glimmer 

Sunday, July 21, 2013

NEW NOVELTIES!? Essence NEW Products

Okay, so if you haven't noticed, this is the week for New Novelties! I think this is what, my 5th post this week? But hey, I'm not complaining! These are one of my favorite posts to do! I love hearing about and trying new products :)

Essence is one of those brands that's kinda hit and miss for some people, and they are extremely cheap as far as price goes. I do find that, for me anyway, the brand leans more on the hit side, so I'm excited to try out some of these new products!

I am way too, obnoxiously, and totally over excited about the new Essence Stay Matte Lip Cream. I love their Stay With Me lip glosses, so I can't wait to try these...(I say as I add it to my Ulta shopping list) Online, only 3 shades are available, but more times than not, I find that there are more color options available in store. $2.99


Essence seems to have jumped on the band wagon with eye shadow pencils. Their Stay No Matter What Eye Pencil & Shadow is available in 6 shades. For $2.99 these might be the least expensive shadow pencil yet! I'll give you guys my thoughts on these as soon as I get my hands on them! -$2.99

This next products reminds me a little of Maybelline's new Eye Studio MasterSmoky Shadow Pencil. Essence I Love Smokey Jumbo Pencil has the same concept, without the smudging sponge on the end. I'm excited to see what you can create with this! Essence says it has a "pen-like shape." Hhhhmmmm.... -$2.99

The rest of the things I have to tell you about are all nail related. First off is the Nail Art Express Dry Drops. I can't wait to try these! I sure hope my Ulta has all these new things in stock! Essence claims that this will dry my polish in 60 seconds... I sure hope it can live up to that claim. -$2.49



Essence Effect Nails is one product, available in 4 different versions. 2 of the versions are loose nail glitter, and the other 2 are nail beads. These will give you a textured manicure with a 3D effect. -$2.49


Lastly, Essence Nail Tip Painter. This is a "natural white" shade used to create a french tip. This has a fine applicator brush for easy application. - $2.49




I'm super pumped to give these new things a go! What about you?

photo credit: essence website and ults.com

xoxo,
Glimmer