Benefit Erase Paste v.s. Benefit Boing

Concealer is one of those things that's very personal. It depends on your skin type, tone, need... so knowing all you can about one before you buy it is important.

First is Benefit's Erase Paste.
Starting right off the bat this is not for everyone.
Erase Paste can be worn on blemishes, but normally it's thought of as an under-eye concealer because it has a very peachy undertone, which is a corrective shade for dark under-eye circles. I have it below in 2 shades, No. 1 Light and No. 2 Medium.

Then Boi-ing, which I only have in one shade inNo. 20. As you can see I way hit pan on this one. Boi-ing is a lot more versatile than the Erase Paste but they consistencies of the two are completely different. I feel like Boi-ing would work for a lot more people, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's the better of the 2.

Let's break it down now shall we?

Some pro's and con's of Erase Paste:

Pro's:

-It's corrective

-Heavy coverage

-A little goes a long way

-Contains more product

Con's:

-Really Thick

-Can Crease Easily

Now Boi-ing:

Pro's

-Good Coverage

-Easier to use (less time consuming)

-Doesn't crease 

-More versitile 

Con's

-Not as corrective

-Can Crease Easily 

These are two very different products and it really depends on what you're looking for in your concealer to decided which one is a better fit for you. 

Personally, I prefer Boi-ing because I don't love the thickness of Erase Paste. 

Let me know what you think of these products below!

xoxo,

Glimmer 

REVIEW: Maybelline Full n Soft Mascara

I'm so sorry I haven't posted in weeks! My posts will be few and far between for a while. Life has been hectic and I'm trying to get back on track, I'll do my best to have more up!

Anyways, let's get into it!

I am a huge believer that you can get good quality makeup without paying department store prices. Looking into the drugstore, there are so many options, a lot of great products get looked over. 

This mascara is one of them. I never hear very many people raving about it, which is sad because it's a really awesome product.

Maybelline's Full n Soft mascara promises, Full, Soft, Thick Lashes. Mine below is the waterproof version, but it's also available in none waterproof of course. 

If you're looking for a good waterproof mascara, this is one of the best I've tried. 

If not, it's still amazing.

The wand is a thick, natural bristle brush. 

I like both plastic and regular wands but this one isn't too special. It's standard but it does a great job at separating the lashes. 

Another reason I like this mascara is because the stopper cleans just the right amount of product off the brush. Lashes get really clumpy when a lot of product is left on the wand, but this stopper cleans enough off that there's not too much product on your lashes.

No Product, No Curl

No Product, With Curl

With Product & Curl

It adds a lot of thickness, and makes my lashes look really full and volumized. It's also very black and dramatic so I feel like my lashes really stand out. The waterproof, really does an amazing job of holding my curl. 

I really LOVE this mascara and would highly recommend it! 

Leave me a comment on your fave mascara!

xoxo,
Glimmer 

Review: IONI Blushes

I know this review was way delayed! I'm so sorry for that!

So finally I have my review on IONI's Powder Blushes!

I purchased to shades, Affair and Miss Bliss.

Left to Right: Affair, Miss Bliss

A Lot of IONI's packaging remind me of NYX. It's very sleek and high end looking. 

Top: Affair Bottom: Miss Bliss

As you can see from my swatches these are pretty pigmented. Make sure to "tsp, tap, tap" off the excess powder on your brush or you will come out as clown face! Although they are very pigmented, they blend nicely.

IONI does make shimmery and glitter shades in these blushes but I thought I'd mention these 2 are matte.

I'd say the one thing I'm not thrilled over is they are on the powdery side. Other than that I really like these and I think they're a steal for $2!

Have you tried? Do tell!

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 

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

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 

Review: Vaseline Spray and Go Moisturizer

Let me start off my review by saying, I was skeptical. In fact I was more that skeptical. I thought this would be a waste of money, why do you need a moisturizer that you spray on when you can just use regular lotion that's probably more hydrating!?

Well I'll tell you why:

I purchased the "Total Moisture" Version, but this comes in Aloe, and Coco Butter as well.

Vaseline's Claims: Vaseline® Spray & Go™ Moisturizer is a line of quick, convenient spray lotions that moisturize deeply and absorb in seconds.  The revolutionary continuous spray-system dispenses lotion quickly and evenly for allover coverage.  The unique formula includes Stratys-3™ multi-layer moisture so lotion absorbs into skin with a few quick rubs. Skin is instantly moisturized, not greasy or sticky.

Our Total Moisture variety is infused with pure oat extract for healthy soft skin in seconds!

Going down the list of claims, I can't think of any that are incorrect. 

It is:

-Quick & Convenient 

-Absorbs quickly 

-Is not greasy or sticky

The only claim I can debate with is the moisturizes "deeply." I wouldn't use that word. It does hydrate my skin, I can tell. My skin feels smooth, softer, and less dry. But I don't feel like it's the most hydrating thing in the world. I feel like something that moisturizes "deeply," would be a thick creamy body butter. Something heavy.  

Why I Love it:

It's so easy! You get out of the shower, spray it on, rub it in a couple times, boom! You're done. Not greasy, no wait, get dressed. 

Or in the middle of the day, spray, rub, and move on. 

It's so simple. If you are crunched for time this would be good for you.

If you have kids, this is just the right mix of fun and easy!

But if you are one of those people (like I was) who are skeptical, at least give it a try. Yes, a regular moisturizer might be more hydrating but this light, none greasy, easy to apply, (and fun to apply), and there are just so many reasons to give this a go. 

And if you need one more, there are $1 off coupons floating around stores, online, and in the papers. So be on the look out for those! 

Review: Maybelline Baby Lips Electro

So... for those of you who love the original baby lips, are you excited to see this new line of electro lip balms?
And for those of you who didn't love the originals... keep reading! These just might surprise you!

So for starters, here's Maybelline's description of the products:
"8hr hydration with a neon kick. Electro color pigments in our exclusive lip renew formula."

Available in 6 shades.

I love the original baby lips. Love 'em.
So here are some differences between the Electro and the Original:

First, the obvious, is the packaging. The Electro line has a black plastic tube opposed the rainbow of colors the originals are.

Second, the pigmentation. YAY. Those are my words. The originals are a sheer tinted lip balm. I mean that's what they're marketed as, and what they are supposed to be. But the Electro's... they pack a punch. Maybe not so much as a lip stick but for a balm!? These are awesome.

The packaging promises 8hrs of hydration. I'd say I disagree with that statement. They are hydrating, like a lip balm, but not super duper hydrating. Just average. And I don't think the moisture feeling stays for a full 8 hours.

I do think that the product works as far making my lips less dry, more supply, and smoother. I don't know if my lips were necessarily "Better Looking" mainly because I'm not sure what that entails, but I do enjoy the effect these give to my lips!

I picked up 3 shades, Pink Shock:

 Oh! Orange:

Strike A Rose:

Swatches:

Pink Shock:

Oh! Orange:

Strike A Rose: 

To be honest, it was really hard to get good pictures of these. They look beautiful, I adore them, but it was hard to get a decent shot of their true color. 

Pink Shock: A beautiful pink color, that has some maroon-ish purple vibe to it. It's the deepest of the 3.

Oh! Orange is the sheerest one of the 3, but I love it a lot. It looks stunning on the lips. It's beautiful and amazingly natural looking. Simply gorgeous.  

Strike A Rose: A rosy pink color that is simply lovely on the lips and in the tube. 

Overall... I LOVE THEM. 

As I do with all the baby lips :)

I highly recommend!

xoxo,

Glimmer

Review: NEW Rimmel London Stay Glossy 3D Lip Gloss

A lip gloss... that makes your lips appear 3 Dimensional?
I feel like this could be either an amazing attempt or a total fail.
Take a look:

Rimmel launched a new collection of lip gloss that branched off from their original Stay Glossy Lip Glosses. Here is what the display looks like:

I personally LOVE the original Stay Glossy formula. The formulation of the original and the 3D is identical. What makes the 3D unique is the Duo-chrome, shimmery effect. Based on the different lighting, your lips give of different shimmery effects.

I picked up the shades "Back Row Smooch" No. 123, "Love at the Movies" No. 703, and after trying and loving those 2 shades, I went back and picked up"Lights, Camera, Action" No. 603! Lights, Camera, Action is not featured in this review, but it is a beautiful orange-y peach with gold shimmer. 

The Shimmer:

Some of the glosses have more shimmer than others. Overall they all have a noticeable amount, even the ones with less shimmer are not that subtle. 

The light catches these glosses beautifully. I love the effect. Each shade has a variation of shimmer, and some have more than one color of sparkles inside it, creating different effects. Although there is a decent amount of shimmer, you can't feel it on your lips. It's not griddy or harsh feeling.  

The Formula:

What I love about these lip glosses is they are not sticky. Rubbing my lips together the best way I can describe it is smooth. It feels very light weight and i'ts not uncomfortable. You don't notice it when talking, and it's not the type of gloss that gets stringy when you part your lips. It is extremely wearable and I feel like even if you don't like lip gloss, you may enjoy these! And if your not big on sparkle maybe the original Stay Glossy line will suit your fancy. 

The Applicator:

The wand on these glosses have a flat, paddle type sponge tip. It's similar to a standard doe foot applicator, but like I said, more flattened, and angled a bit, like a paddle. 

Staying Power:
The original Stay Glossy and the 3D both promise to last for 6 hours on the lips, hense the name "Stay Glossy." Ehhhh, that's not true. Without eating these glosses last on my lips for about 2 hours, 2 and a half MAYBE. So disregard the long wearing statement. Honestly, the wear time is just average. But I don't mind reapplying because the shades are gorgeous and they are so comfortable to wear!

Swatches:
I attempted to swatch them in different lightings, so you could see the effect the sparkle has when light hits.

Is it really 3D?
Whether on not it's 3D is... debatable. I'm not sure it's possible to make your lips appear 3 dimensional! But it does give a very pretty duo-chrome shine. So it doesn't matter to me! I'm happy with them anyway :)

Swatched on the lips:

Have you tried 'em? I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Available at drugstores now.

xoxo,

Glimmer