Best of the Brand: Revlon

Hey everybody! Today I want to talk about what is probably my favorite brand from the drugstore- REVLON! Revlon has some absolutely great stuff on the market. Let's take a look at what products I think are the best.

When it comes to face products from the drugstore, Revlon can't be beat. Revlon Colorstay Whipped has no-joke coverage and lasting power, and easily holds up on my oily skin. When I want some major coverage on those bad skin days, this is what I'm reaching for. Nearly Naked Foundation is another great option if you want something lighter with less coverage. It perfects the skin in a pretty way, and is never over the top or cakey. I enjoy it.

Revlon has it in the bag when it comes to lip products as well. I adore the Super Lustrous Lipsticks- I have at least ten shades in my collection. If you're new to lipstick and you're wondering where to start at the drugstore, this line is a really good one. I like the formula a lot, and the color range is great. These are just simple, classic lipsticks that are never going to go out of style. One of my favorite shades is Primrose. The lip glosses (which have been recently repackaged, so they look different than what is pictured) are another favorite amongst beauty bloggers. Also, I recently picked up my very first lip butter (gasp) the other day, and I can see how everybody loves this stuff. I know I'm a few years late to the party, but I get the hype. They are hydrating, easy to wear, and have a surprising amount of pigmentation for something labeled a lip "butter." Last but not least of the lip products, the Kissable Balm Stains are really good. They have a glossy finish, but they most certainly stain your lips.

Also, I have to mention the lash adhesive, which is actually the only one I own. I chose this one because of the applicator. It's super user-friendly. I'm not a pro with lashes, so I appreciate a product like this that is easy to use and works well.


That's all for now!

What are your favorite Revlon products?


Much love,
Gianna

Jordana 12 Hour Made to Last Eyeshadow Pencils

Hey everybody! Today I've got a review on an awesome product from one of the most inexpensive brands at the drugstore. Jordana has recently (or maybe not so recently...) come out with some eyeshadow pencils that are rocking my makeup world. I haven't seen these on the shelves before now, but maybe I'm just late to the party- it wouldn't be the first time that has happened.

Sorry the pencils are so dirty! They are very creamy, and can get everywhere easily!

Stay-On Black, Eternal White, Pink Evermore, Endless Emerald, Continous Almond

Stay-On Black, Eternal White, Pink Evermore, Endless Emerald, Continous Almond
The pencils are called "12 Hour Made to Last Eyeshadow Pencils" which is pretty fitting for how they perform. They are ultra creamy when you first apply them, and easily blended out. But once they set, they set to a totally budge-proof state. I tried these out without a primer (topped with eyeshadow) and didn't expect much. I have oily lids, and without my beloved Urban Decay Primer Potion, my eyeshadow is a wreck. However, these sticks totally held up throughout my day and were crease-free when I went to take my makeup off at night. They lasted all through my work day, the heat, the sweat, and general day-to-day wear that my eyeshadow goes through. I was amazed. For $3.99, it can't be beat.



I did not try these shadow sticks on their own without eyeshadow on top, so I am not sure what would happen if they were not set with powder. However, to me these are meant to be eyeshadow bases that enhance (or slightly alter, depending on the base color you choose) the color of your shadow. They work fantastically as bases.

As far as color selection goes, I think Jordana nailed it on the head. The only thing I wish they had was MORE! More colors, please! But for what is offered right now, the selection is really great. They have four basic, all matte shades that are amazing. There's a dark black that would be great for smokey eyes, a rich brown (I do not own this one), a matte white (NYX pencil in Milk, you better watch out!), and a very neutral color that would work to cancel out discoloration on the lid if you have a similar skin tone.

As far as colorful shades, they've got a teal (I do not own this one), a purple (I do not own this one either), a sparkly pink, and a beautiful emerald shade. The ones I have are quite beautiful.

Overall, I think my favorites are Continuous Almond and Endless Emerald, because these colors are amazing. I can see Continuous Almond becoming an every day product for me. Endless Emerald is simply beautiful, and with Fall coming up, this shade is perfect.


Have you guys tried these? Do you like them? Let me know!

Much, much love!

Gianna

Cheap Makeup Storage

Hey everybody! Okay so I have been in desperate need of a storage update for quite a while. For a long time I was trying to stuff all my makeup into a couple small drawers, and my vanity was overflowing with stuff. I had no space at all, and it was getting frustrating. I thought about getting a unit from Ikea, but I am a poor college student. If I am going to spend money on something, I want it to be makeup, not makeup storage. I started considering my options, and I think I came up with the best solution for me and my collection. This post is in no way meant to brag about the amount of makeup I have or anything like that. I am writing about my makeup storage to show you how to organize your makeup without breaking the bank.

Here is my makeup setup:

I have my vanity on the left and my drawers to the right. My vanity is from Target, and I absolutely love it (I'm pretty it's called the Shabby Chic Vanity, but I cannot find the actual vanity on the website, only the stool). I don't use the drawer on it currently, because I find it inconvenient to open and close every time I'm doing my makeup. I may use it in the future, but for now it's empty. On the right I have three Sterilite drawer units stacked on top of each other. They are called the "Wide Three Drawer Unit." They stack really nicely on top of each other. I could not find any Sterilite sets that had more than four shallow drawers in my area. I looked at WalMart and Target, and had no luck. I found a lot of sets with two shallow drawers and two deep drawers, but it makes more sense to store makeup in multiple shallow drawers. So, I improvised and ended up buying three, and I'm happy with how it came out. The good thing about Sterilite drawers is 1) the price (I got these for around $16-$17 each), 2) the convenience (you can find them anywhere), and 3) you can always add on to what you have. I spent about $50 bucks on the whole shebang, which is way better than spending $200 on a six drawer unit from Ikea.

Here are my drawers:

When stacked, the probably stand around 3 feet high. The height matches up really well with my vanity, which is awesome.

This is what I keep on top of my drawer set up. I have perfume, tissues, brush cleaner, my tweezers and eyelash applicator, q-tips, etc. I have a lipstick organizer coming in the mail. When it arrives, it will likely sit on top of here too.

This is my first drawer. I keep foundations, primers, and setting powders in here. I have a few little purple baskets in my drawers to separate products by category. I bought the baskets at Big Lots for really cheap. They work great, I need to pick up some more.

In the second drawer I have my blushes, bronzers, and highlighters. The ones that are too big for a purple basket go on the right side.

Third drawer houses my palettes. Palettes of any shape, size, or price sit in here.

Fourth drawer is for eyes. I've got single shadows and cream bases in the basket, and liners, primers, and mascaras on the right. This drawer is not totally how I want it- I need more baskets to separate my liners and mascaras.

Fifth drawer is dedicated to lip products. Once my lipstick organizer comes, I will need to buy more baskets to place in this drawer to separate liners and glosses.

The next three drawers are empty. Lots of room to grow, yay!

The last drawer holds extra stuff. I've got a palette I need to depot, some extra odds and ends, and anything else I don't use everyday but I still want to keep.


And that's all! I am really pleased with my new set up. I think it will work for me for a long time, and I have lots of room to grow as my collection gets bigger. The great thing about using Sterilite drawers is that once I need more space, I can go out and easily find more. I would not recommend stacking these drawers more than three high, though.

I hope this was helpful!

Much love,

Gianna

First Impression/Review: Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation

Hey everybody! I recently received a sample in the mail of the Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation. I decided to give it a shot for you guys to see how it works on my skin. Let's get to it.

The foundation retails for $39.00 and comes in nice, travel-friendly packaging with an awesome pump. I do not own the actual product, but I believe the bottle is plastic, not glass. There are lots of shades to choose from, and the shade numbers ending in .0 are yellow undertoned, while the shades ending in .5 are pink undertoned. I personally think the price is a little bit steep. However, the finish reminds me of NARS Sheer Glow, which is more expensive.


I applied this foundation around 11:00 this morning with my Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki. This foundation applied with this brush has a good medium coverage to it. I found that it covered most everything that I wanted covered, minus some more red blemishes that needed concealer. The consistency of this stuff is very runny- so, for such a thin foundation, it has good coverage.

By the way, I used the shade 3.5 on my face and 2.0 under my eyes. I think 3.5 is a good match, but perhaps I should go with 3.0 or 4.0 because my body is so yellow (even though my face can be quite pink).

The finish was demi-matte. I liked the finish, although I wasn't blown away by how it looked on my skin. It looked nice- don't get me wrong- but it wasn't like I was amazed by it. However, I think I will have to try it with my beauty blender and see how I feel then. The way a foundation looks on the skin can completely change according to how you apply it.

It wasn't sitting in my pores, which is great. It also feels very light on the skin.

I set it with my NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Powder and went on my way.

I looked again at 5:00 and noticed a little deweyness, but nothing bad. I liked the way it looked still, so I didn't blot or anything. Also, I usually have issues with foundations on my chin and jaw. They often fade away or get splotchy. The UD foundation didn't do that at all, which was great.

Eight hours later, I can say that the foundation still hasn't faded, settled into pores, or gotten splotchy. However, the dewiness I noticed earlier has turned into a shine that doesn't look so good.

In the foundation's defense, I put it through a lot today. I was busy all day, walking around for a long time in the heat, moving stuff around, sweating, etc. After all that, I think the fact that it stayed on is pretty cool.

The bottom line.

Am I going to purchase the full size?
Not right now. But I might consider it later on when the seasons change. It gets oily after 8 hours, and I hate blotting and touching up. However, I need to play with this foundation a little more before I decide whether I want to own it or not. I like it, I don't love it.

Who would I recommend it to?
If you want something medium coverage, light on the skin, and demi-matte, this is a good option. I would not recommend this to someone with very oily skin. If you have dry or normal skin, I think you would be okay. If you have combo skin and don't mind blotting, you may like this too.


I apologize for not having pictures of my face before and after applying the foundation you guys- it has been a very hectic day.

Have you tried this foundation? How do you like it? Let me know!


Much love, as always.

Gianna

First Impression/Review: Dr. Brandt BB Matte

Hey everybody! I recently got a sample of the Dr. Brandt BB Matte in a Sephora order, and I wanted to give it a shot and let you guys know what I think of it. The sample was only enough for one use, so this is indeed a first impression.

Dr. Brandt BB Matte is sold for $39.00 and comes in two shades- "light to medium" and "medium to dark." I tried "light to medium," which is a decent match for my current NC30 summer shade. It would probably be too dark in winter, but might still work if I were a bit darker.

The BB Cream is oil free, sulfate free, paraben free, and phthalates free. It supposedly is an "all-in-one oil-free beauty balm designed for oily/combination skin that provides instant mattifying coverage and oil-control for flawless, youthful, and healthy-looking skin." We'll see about that.

In addition to all that, it can be used as a moisturizer with SPF 30.

Here is a picture of my skin with the BB Cream on.

I applied it this morning around 11:00 in place of moisturizer, and the first thing I noticed was the smell. This stuff smells absolutely gross. I don't like it one bit. It doesn't linger on the face, but during application it's super noticeable. I haven't noticed anything online or on the sample that says whether it has fragrance added or not, but I would guess it doesn't. I'm not sure how to feel on the issue, because fragrance free products are good, but this stuff smells so bad that I almost wish they added fragrance just to make it less nasty. And if they did add fragrance, well I would just have to ask, what were they thinking?

Aside from the smell, I noticed that the product is pretty thick. It's not very blendable at all, and it feels sticky on the skin when it's first applied. I didn't like it. I want my moisturizers to glide on with ease.

As far as coverage, you aren't going to get much with this product. I could have used some concealer on some rosacea spots, but I didn't. I wanted something super light today, so what you see in the picture is just the BB Cream and a bit of mascara. This product has very light coverage, and I didn't notice it being very buildable.

Despite all this, it was pretty much matte on my skin. It wasn't like a normal moisturizer that leaves the skin a little shiny- it set to a demi-matte finish but felt reasonably moisturizing.

As far as wear throughout the day, I put this stuff through the wringer. I laid out and tanned for an hour, so I was sweating like crazy. The BB Cream does transfer a bit, and it's not going to keep your face matte if you're sweating. I don't think it rubbed off entirely. Once I was inside and cooled off, I noticed that the BB Cream has kept its finish and I was looking oil-free.

I also went to an indoor trampoline arena today and jumped for about an hour. I was sweating, once again, like crazy. But like before, once I cooled down the BB Cream was looking shine-free.


It's been about 8 hours and here's what I can say: this BB cream really does keep you oil-free. It's not a super duper matte finish, but it certainly never looks glowy, oily, or shiny at all.

The Bottom Line.

Am I going to purchase the full sized product?
No. It's expensive and it doesn't do enough for me. I like that it keeps me shine free, but the BB Cream doesn't really perfect the skin. I know it's not supposed to be full coverage, and I don't expect it to be. But I just don't love the product enough to purchase it.

Who would I recommend it to?
If you want something really light coverage that will keep you shine-free (and you can get past the smell and the price), go for it. If one of my friends were looking for a BB Cream for oily skin, I might suggest this. However, I would tell them to sample it first.

That's all for now. Hope this was helpful!


Much love!

Gianna

What's in my August Ipsy Bag?

Hey everybody. I recently got my Ipsy bag in the mail (it seems a little late- tons of YouTubers have posted a video of their Ipsy bags already) and wanted to share it with you.

Honestly, I hate to start off on a sour note, but I am disappointed with this month's bag. I've seen lots of people on YouTube get some great samples, and I am so sad I didn't get any of the good stuff. What I got was okay, but I know there are others who got some really great brands with new items I want to try. Alas, I'm going to share what I got.

This month brought me a really cute bag. It's purple with some gold detailing. I like it, and you can always find a use for bags like this.

This is what I got in my bag this month. Let's take a deeper look...

First up is a Michael Todd Jojoba Charcoal Facial Scrub. I know that a lot of people will be excited about getting this in their bag, because Michael Todd skincare is all the rage right now. It says it's for all skin types, but I'm not sure if I will be trying this any time soon. I have rosacea, which can be triggered or exacerbated by exfoliation. I have to be careful, and my skin is currently on the mend from a flare up. Maybe when my skin is fully back to normal I'll give it a shot.

Next I have a Chella brow pencil. I swatched it and it seems like a good shade for my skin and hair. However, I do not fill my brows. My brows are quite full, so the only thing I do to them is run some clear mascara through them so they stay put. I guess this is a good product to try out for others, but not for me.

I also found a Pixi Lash Booster Mascara in my bag. This is cool, I'm always willing to try a new mascara. We'll see how it works.

Next I have the Pacifica Alight Multi-Mineral BB Cream. I haven't yet found a BB Cream that I like. Maybe this will be a good one, but I am not much of a fan of tinted-moisturizer-like products.

And last I have a Noya Cherry Lip Balm. Not that excited about this, to be honest. It's a lip balm. How exciting can lip balms be?

Anyways, that's what I got in my Ipsy bag this month. Nothing I'm over the moon about, but that's okay. It's only ten bucks. You win some, you lose some.

What did you guys get in your Ipsy bag? Did you like it? Did you not? Let me know!


Much love.

Gianna

Sigma Haul

Hey everybody! I recently placed an order with Sigma and my box just came in the mail. I wanted to share with you guys what I got and my first thoughts, as well as some pictures of the brushes so you can get a good idea of what they look like.

As you can see, I bought ten brushes. Ten brushes is a heck of a lot of money, even though Sigma is supposed to be an affordable brand. I guess compared to MAC it is, but I spent slightly over $150 and I did not get free shipping. I am so irked by that. I think if I spend over $50, I should get free shipping, period. Oh well, I digress.

First up is the F55, Small Duo Fiber Brush.

I bought this for applying cream products like blush, highlight, or bronzer. I don't own another duo fiber brush, so I'm excited about this and this one has been on my list for a very long time.


This next one is the F25, Tapered Face brush.

I think this will be great for a light application of powder in the t-zone or all over bronzer. It is smaller than I expected, But I like it.

Next is the famous F80, Flat Kabuki brush.

I couldn't place a Sigma order without putting this brush in the basket. Everybody and their mother loves this brush, and it's all the hype on YouTube. I thought I would give it a go.

Next I have the F35, Tapered Highlight Brush.

I have been wanting this brush for ages. I don't have a proper brush to highlight with in my collection, so this is a much needed addition. I'm really excited about it.

Next I have the P88, Precision Flat Angled Brush.

I thought this would be great for under eye concealer. I already have a round top brush like this from Real Techniques, so I thought I would try out one that was angled.

Next is the E05 Eye Liner Brush.

I have a lot of trouble with gel eyeliner, and I think it's partly because of lack of practice, and partly because I lack a good eyeliner brush. This one is very small and has a pointed tip. I'm hoping it well help me get comfortable with gel eyeliner.

Next I have the E25, Blending Brush.

I have heard that this is the closest thing out there to the MAC 117. I just like the shape of it, and I think it's very versatile.


Then I have the P86, Precision Tapered brush.

This is just the tapered version if the P88 listed above. They have different shapes of the same brush, so I thought getting a tapered one would be good for concealer in little corners of the face, like around the nose and in the corner of the eye. Perhaps this brush wasn't completely necessary, but I don't have anything like it and I'm excited to use it.

Next is the E40, Tapered Blending Brush.

I already have one of these in my collection. But I wanted another, because I think having two big fluffy brushes to switch between while I'm doing a smokey eye look is important. One for blending, one for placing color in the crease. It just makes sense.

Last but not least I have the E30, Pencil brush.

I don't have a pencil brush in my collection, so I got one. I'm pretty sure this will come in handy.


Overall, I'm pleased with what I see. The brushes are super soft and sturdy. I'm excited to use them and I think they will perform great. However, I am displeased with the fact that I didn't get free shipping on such a big order. I also think that Sigma is on the whole rather expensive.

I would (and will) probably order from Sigma again. But I think next time I will probably order from Sedona Lace first, just to see what their brushes are like. I think when it comes to face brushes, I will stick with Sigma because I am more picky. But when it comes to brushes for the eyes, I may turn elsewhere.

Much love!

Gianna

How To Co-Wash

Hey everybody! It's been nearly seven weeks into the Curly Girl Method, and I've had some ups and downs. Co-washing is pretty much the center of the Curly Girl Method, so I thought I would devote a post to this topic.

Co-Washing is short for Conditioner Washing. Instead of using shampoo, Curly Girls use conditioner that is free of silicones to wash their hair on a daily basis. It is okay to use sulfate-free shampoo, but co-washing is more gentle on our hair. Popular conditioners that are Curly Girl Approved from the drugstore are the Suave Naturals Coconut Conditioner and the V05 Moisture Milk Conditioner in Strawberries and Cream, which both usually retail for under three dollars at most drugstores. It doesn't have to be these specific scents- any Suave Naturals Conditioner or V05 Moisture Milk Conditioner will do.

When you co-wash, it is important to start off with a good amount of product. I have pretty long hair- past mid-back but not quite to my waist yet. I use half a palm-full of conditioner, or about the size of two quarters. I distribute it everywhere on my scalp, at the forehead, the nape of the neck, sides of the face, behind the ears, crown of my head...everywhere. And then I start to scrub. I use my fingers and really work the product in. I notice that if I neglect one section of hair, my hair is oily the next day in that section. So I pay attention to really scrub every part of my scalp. Don't hurt yourself or scratch your scalp or anything, just get down in there and scrub. Remember that there are no sulfates to do the job for you. You have to manually remove the dirt and product from your hair. Even though I've used a significant amount of conditioner already, sometimes I'll come back and add more to the places I feel need it. As a curly girl, you go through a lot of conditioner. Luckily we can use ultra cheap ones that aren't a hassle to repurchase.

After I have scrubbed my scalp thoroughly, I rinse out the co-wash. When I rinse it out, I scrub some more. Work the water into each section and thoroughly rinse out your co-wash. By the end of my shower, my arms are a little tired from scrubbing. But that's what gets my hair clean, so that's what I do. Make sure to use your fingers as you rinse it out. Using your fingers is the key to this whole process.


After I have rinsed everything out, I put in my rinse-out conditioner, which is a separate, heavier conditioner that replenishes moisture. I use the Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Moisture Conditioner. This is a popular drugstore rinse-out. I use this product on about 3/4 the length of my hair. I don't put it on my roots, because I just spent so much time scrubbing my scalp clean.

I let it sit as I finish my shower, rinse it out, and then I'm done.

I am learning that being thorough is really the only way to get my hair feeling clean enough (for my liking) with co-washing.


What about you guys? Any curly girl tips out there?

Much love!

Gianna

Review: NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder

Hey everybody! I recently hauled some stuff from my trip to Vegas, and the NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder was one of the things I bought. I think I have mentioned a few times in previous posts that I do not like powder much at all, even though I am oily. I feel that it makes me look cakey and doesn't usually do much for prolonging my makeup or keeping oil at bay. I usually skip powder entirely, to be honest. But I picked this up at Sephora because I had heard good things. I bought it for $34.00, which isn't too bad for a high end powder. It is comparable in price to many other setting powders at Sephora.

It comes in a nice little soft pouch. I guess this is good if you want to keep the packaging clean, or use the product with a sponge. I personally don't use a sponge, but there is one included in the kit. I think I would have preferred a lower price tag and no pouch, but whatever. Because I don't use a sponge, it's pretty useless to me.

As you can see, the product appears white in the pan. When I swatch it, you can see some of the product on my finger, but on my face it is completely transparent. I think this powder would be fine on any skin tone, honestly. When I swatch it, I can see a very slight sheen that the powder gives off. On the face, it is not that obvious. I wouldn't say it's entirely matte, but it's not glowy, glittery, or shiny in any way. It's just nice.

There is one downside to this powder that is annoying. There is a hard layer that covers the top of this powder that you have to break through in order to get any product on your brush. If the layer is not broken, you're not going to be picking up any product. You'll know that you've completely broken the top layer when you start seeing the powder look shiny. I used a really rough brush that I have just sitting around in my stash to break through the top layer. It didn't take much work at all, but I just want you guys to be forewarned. If I didn't have a really scratchy brush, I don't know that I would have been able to reach the product as easily.

Once you get to the actual product, it is velvety smooth to the touch. Seriously, it is so luxurious.

As far as what it does to my skin- I love it. It sets my makeup really well without looking like powder at all. It's amazing. It is also really blurring. When I swipe this stuff over my pores, they become way less noticeable. It just makes everything flawless without changing the color of your foundation. Like I said- it's not too matte, nor too shiny. "Light reflecting" is a good name for it, because it certainly does that.

I don't know that it prolongs the wear of my foundation. It does an alright job of keeping oil under control, but I don't rely on it to keep me shine free all day. I choose foundations that are good for oily skin (or, at least, my oily skin), and top it with this. I have used it over three of my favorite foundations- Revlon Colorstay Whipped, Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation, and NARS Sheer Glow. It was great over all three.

Overall, I love this powder. It's exactly what I want in a powder, because it doesn't look like a powder on the skin at all.

What do you guys think? Have you tried it, or the loose version? Let me know!


Much love!

Gianna

Quick Review: Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow

Hey everybody! For quite a while I have been wanting an eyeshadow that is very close to my skin color but with lots of sparkle and shine. I wanted something that wouldn't necessarily add color to my lid, but would catch the light and make it look shimmery and kind of wet, in a sense. Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow has provided me with exactly what I have been wishing for. This eyeshadow line offers seven shades with very finely milled sparkle. They can be used wet or dry. The shade I love is Space Cowboy, which is basically a flesh colored base with lots of sparkle in it. I bought it for $20 at my local Sephora, which is pretty steep. But I love it a lot, and I would buy it again.

You're probably looking at this and thinking, okay, this is going to be fallout central. But, seriously guys, I did not have any fallout when I applied this wet over Urban Decay Primer Potion. Not one little bit. I was amazed. Not sure what would happen if I applied it dry. But I probably wouldn't even attempt to apply it without my beloved UDPP. Also, be sure when you apply this to pat, not swipe, it on.

Top: Dry Swatch, Bottom: Wet Swatch

Left: Dry Swatch, Right: Wet Swatch

I tried really hard to capture the gorgeousness that is this eyeshadow, but I don't know that the camera really does it justice. Take my word for it- it's lovely.


Much love, as always.

Gianna