Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler Review

Hey everybody, today I've got a review on the Shu Uemura eyelash curler. This thing is pretty expensive, retailing for about 20 bucks, but I got mine on Amazon for cheap(er).

Before I got the Shu Uemura curler, I was using the ELF eyelash curler. The ELF one worked decently well, but I have pesky eyelashes at the outer corners of my eyes that the ELF one wasn't curling.

The thing about the Shu Uemura one is the shape. It seems to fit the shape of the eye better than other eyelash curlers I've tried because it is not as round. If you're finding that other eyelash curlers are not a very good fit for your eye, this might be a good option for you.

As far as actually curling my lashes, this does a good job. It gets every lash, even the ones in the outer corners that are hard to reach. The actual curl is really nice. Some eyelash curlers make a kink in your lashes, which causes them to point upward at a harsh angle. This one makes it so your lashes have an actual curl, and no kink. They are lifted from the root, which makes it looks like you didn't use an eyelash curler at all.

Is it worth the hype?
Depends on your lashes. If you don't have really pesky lashes at the corners of your eye that refuse to curl, I would say stick with a cheaper eyelash curler. Ultimately, if you've found an eyelash curler at the drugstore that you are satisfied with and isn't causing you issues, then I wouldn't spend the money on the Shu Uemura. However, it is a great tool, and I can see why everybody loves it. If you want something luxurious and you don't mind spending the money, go for it. You will probably like it just as much as I do. So, in short, yes, I believe it is worth the hype, but I would not advise you to spend 20 bucks on an eyelash curler if you already have a cheap one that works fine.


Sorry I've been lagging on posts, y'all. I'm back to school and working, so I've been very busy. I'm trying to get as many posts up as I can.

Much love,
Gianna

L'Oreal Lash Out Butterfly Mascara Review

Hey everybody! Today we're going to be talking about a new drugstore product that I haven't heard much about yet. It seems like it sneaked its way on to the shelves unnoticed. I've only just begun to see some reviews, and they were generally positive, so I had to get my hands on it. Here's what I have to say...

The whole thing about this mascara is it's supposed to give fluttery lashes. It has a little wing on the wand that it supposed to help reach and extend the outer lashes. It has a plastic wand, which is actually something I prefer.
I will say, I like the packaging. It's very sleek and understated, which I appreciate.

Here are my lashes without mascara:

Here they are after one coat:

And here they are after two:

Overall, I like this mascara. I think "Butterfly" is a good name for it, because it really does give fluttery looking lashes. If you're looking for length and definition, this is a great choice. Also, I think this would be a great layering mascara. If you are willing to take the time and use a separate mascara over top of this one that is really volumizing, the combination is going to give you amazing lashes.

I like the wand. The little wing is actually easy to use and effective. It's not a very messy mascara like others can be. It doesn't get all over your lids or under-eyes. As far as smudging or flaking, this is the best performing L'Oreal mascara I've ever had. It smudges and flakes a little bit, but only if it's been a really long day. Generally L'Oreal mascaras flake and smudge horribly on me.


This gets two thumbs up from me. Not sure if it replaces my Maybelline The Rocket, but I would certainly repurchase it and throw it in the mix.

Much love,
Gianna

Jouer Matte Moisture Tint Review

Hey everybody! I have been hearing loads of great things about the Jouer Matte Moisture Tint on YouTube, so naturally I had to try it out myself. I mean, a tinted moisturizer that keeps me matte? Sounds good to me. It's certainly better than Dr. Brandt's BB Matte, which I have previously reviewed. Here is what it looks like:

The Matte Moisture Tint comes in five shades and retails for $38.00. You get 1.7 ounces of product, which is nearly double the typical amount of foundation you get in a bottle. Because you get so much product, I think the price is not too terrible.

The texture of this stuff is kind of thick, but not hard to work with. I would say work in sections rather than do your whole face at once. I almost want to say it is a cream to powder formula, but it isn't exactly. It just sets matte, and once it starts to set, it feels a little powdery. But it doesn't look powdery. It looks natural, with a demi-matte finish. This stuff has really awesome coverage for a product called a "moisture tint." I would say it has light to medium coverage, and it's buildable. You're not going to get full coverage out of this. But I find that it gives me a good medium coverage applied with my fingers (which is the only way I've applied it thus far). If you want full coverage, this isn't the product for you.

It feels very light and comfortable on the skin. It sits well and doesn't sink into my pores. It doesn't necessarily stay matte on my face all day. If you're really oily, expect to blot.

One of the absolute best things about this product is the ingredients. It is oil free, hypoallergenic, fragrance free, and non-comodegenic. It has an SPF 15, but it uses physical rather than chemical ingredients to provide broad spectrum protection. This means that for those of us with really sensitive or rosacea prone skin, this product should not be irritating. This is probably my favorite part of the this product. It's really hard to find products with SPF that don't use chemical sunblocks.


Overall, I thoroughly enjoy this product. I like the coverage, I like that it's super natural, I like that it's matte, I love the ingredients, I like the hygienic packaging... I just like it all.


If you haven't tried this already, I highly suggest you check it out. I can see myself repurchasing this product many times in the future.


Much love,

Gianna

Favorite Drugstore Under Eye Concealer

Hey everybody! Under eye concealer is one of those things that I seem to change my mind on a lot. But by trying different products with different consistencies, I think I have found what I like in an under eye concealer. My under eye area can be quite dry, even though my skin is rather oily. Most under eye concealers accentuate the dryness around my eyes, which is a terrible look. I look for under eye concealers that are really creamy; if it is too thin, it accentuates my dryness. Products like the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind under eye concealer is very thin, and looks very dry on me. MAC Pro Longwear has a similar aging effect. Although I like Pro Longwear, I don't like the way it looks on me after a whole day's worth of wear.

The Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Concealer is quickly becoming my go-to under eye product. It is supposed to have a "gel" formula, which makes a lot of sense. It kind of glides over my under eye area, rather than settles into the lines.

For right around six bucks, I think this stuff performs right up there with higher end products. It reminds me a lot of Tarte's Creaseless Concealer, which I really enjoy.

I have it in two shades, Radiant and Ivory. Radiant is a light pink color meant for highlighting and brightening purposes. Ivory is slightly lighter than my natural skin tone. I have been using Ivory a bunch lately, and I find that it does a fantastic job of brightening up the area under my eyes as well as concealing my circles.

As far as the way it wears throughout the day, I really enjoy how it holds up. I don't really find that it creases on me. It may sink into some fine lines a little bit, but unlike other concealers, I don't find that this makes me look old and dry under there.


Overall I just really enjoy this product. It covers well and performs at a great standard, especially for such a low price. If you tried the Age Rewind concealer and didn't like it, or if you're looking for something at a drugstore price that its moisturizing like Tarte's under eye concealer, I say give this a go.


That's all for now!

Much love,

Gianna

Cheap Brush/Beauty Blender Cleanser!

Hey everybody! Oftentimes we get lazy with keeping our cosmetics clean, but the truth is we really need to be aware of sanitizing our cosmetic tools. Brushes get covered in product, touch our face repeatedly, get dipped in product again, etc. It's a playground for bacteria to grow, and I know I certainly don't want that anywhere near my face. I already have enough skin issues to deal with.

I find that the best way for me to keep my brushes clean is to spot clean after each use, and deep clean every four weeks or so. I could probably do a deep cleaning more often, but let's be realistic. I have quite a few brushes, and it takes a while to clean them all. Every four weeks is pretty typical for me, and I'm okay with that.

Today I want to talk about deep cleaning my brushes, and a fantastic product that I have found to get the job done quickly and effectively. I used to use the Beauty Blender Liquid Cleanser, which is just okay. I found that I had to use a lot of product for it to get my brushes clean, especially the really dense ones like my Sigma F80. It never really got the stains out of my Beauty Blender, which is just ridiculous. I also don't like that it's in a liquid form, because I find it inconvenient. Then they recently came out with the Beauty Blender Solid cleanser, which I have considered purchasing but could never bring myself to spend so much money on a stupid bar of soap, even though I've heard it's great.

So I started hearing others talk about their own methods, like baby shampoo, Dawn dish soap, etc, but nothing really struck my fancy. Today I was browsing the aisle's on my local Walgreens and saw Dr. Bronner's All-One Hemp Lavender Soap in bar form. I had heard a beauty guru talking about it, and I was like, that might be worth a shot.

I brought it home and tried it out, and let me tell you what, this is good stuff. I LOVE that it's in a bar form, it makes it so easy. I just run the bar under water and take my brushes to it. Swirl it around on the soap, swirl it around on the palm of my hand, rinse, and viola. It cleans my brushes so amazingly quick. My beauty blender was clean in a matter of seconds. This is really important to me, because sponges hold bacteria like crazy. It smells absolutely divine, I just want to bathe myself in the smell. They have many other scents as well, so if lavender isn't your thing, you have options. The only thing is, lots of oils are used in the soap. It's very moisturizing, but next time I might go with the peppermint one, just so it's a little bit more clarifying. However, if your brushes are really scratchy, Dr. Bronner's might be a great option.


The best thing about Dr. Bronner's is the ingredients. It's completely natural, organic, doesn't test on animals, and mutli-functional. Dr. Bronner's is known for the liquid soap, which can be used for absolutely anything- washing your clothes, your body, your hair, even brushing your teeth. I feel totally comfortable using this soap to clean my brushes. In fact, I feel better about this than any other cleanser, which likely has lots of chemicals and harsh ingredients that I don't want to put on my skin.


I highly suggest checking out the bar or liquid soap- whichever you prefer. It's cheap, effective, and totally natural. Can there be anything better?

What do you clean your brushes with?


Much love,
Gianna

Hard Candy Mod Quad Baked Eyeshadow Swatches/First Impression

Hey everybody! I stopped at my local Walmart today and spotted some Hard Candy Mod Quad Baked Eye Shadows. I'm not sure if they are limited edition, but they were situated right in with the rest of the Hard Candy line, so I am guessing not. I believe they are new, because I have not seen these before. I can't think of anything that I own by Hard Candy, although I have heard great things about their baked shadow duos and have wanted to get my hands on them for a bit. I've never gotten around to actually picking up any duos, but I saw these quads and I was like MINE.

Hard Candy is sold exclusively at WalMart. I bought mine for six dollars each. You can also order them online at the link provided above.

I bought four quads out of the five available: Brownie Points, Pink Interlude, Under the Moon, and Ivy League. The last one that I did not buy is called Smoke Mirrors, which has a lot of grey/silver shades.

Brownie Points, Pink Interlude

Under the Moon, Ivy League
I will say that I don't love the packaging. It's kind of bulky. On the inside there is an okay mirror, which is pretty cool. But other than that I find them to just be a little excessive in the packaging department. However, they're durable and good for travel.

Here are the swatches. The top row of each picture are the colors swatched dry, the bottom row are the colors swatched wet.

Brownie Points

Pink Interlude

Under the Moon

Ivy League

I haven't worn any of these on my eyes yet, but all I have to say is...wow. I'm really excited to put these babies to use. Dry, they are just okay, but wet, they seem great. The pigmentation is totally on point, they are metallic, the glitter shows up, it's just all around impressive.

I might just have to go pick up the last quad. I avoided it because I don't often wear greys and silvers on my eyes, but I might make an exception. For the price, I think these are really worth checking into.


What do you think? Do you have your eye on any of these? Let me know!


Much love,
Gianna

Impress Nails Review

Hey everybody! I am by no means a pro at nail painting. When it comes to beauty related things, makeup is my main squeeze; hair and nails fall by the wayside. I am always looking for polishes that are supposedly "long wearing" or chip-resistant, because I don't like to repaint my nails very often. Once a week is more than enough for me. However, more than once a week is usually necessary (although I rarely do, anyways) because I work part time at a local fast food place. My hands are always being dipped in sanitizer water, cleaning things, wearing gloves, washing dishes, etc. Also, my nails are quite thin and brittle, so acrylic nails are not an option for me. I find that my nails cannot handle the grinding down, acetone removal, or any of that stuff. Even gel manicures are kind of harsh on my thin nails. So, with all of these nail-related-woes, I am pretty much looking for a solution that is durable, nice looking, and kind to my fragile nails. Impress Nails have pretty much provided me with what I am looking for.

Impress Nails are basically plastic nails that have the glue already applied to them. You peel off the plastic layer to reveal the bottom of the nail with glue on it. You apply it to your nail, and it is supposed to stay on for up to a week. You can find them at pretty much any drugstore for around $6-8 dollars. They come in a whole array of colors and designs, and I believe there are both short and medium length options. Each pack of nails comes with many different sizes and multiple size options for each nail. You'll get two applications out of one pack. However, you may not have the perfect fit for each nail on the second application if you use up all of your correct sizes on the first application.

These are my nails with the tie-dye Impress Nails applied.

I have to tell you guys, I really like these. I wore just a plain french-manicure style set to Las Vegas for my 21st and I had absolutely no issues. I even brought extras just in case one were to pop off during my trip. I'm happy to report that they stayed fantastically, and I probably could have gotten another couple of days of wear when I was home and ready to remove them. I think that the staying power all has to do with your application, and how hard you are on your nails. Once you apply them, don't run your hands under water for at least an hour. I think this gives the nails time to totally set. Also, I wasn't working when I was in Vegas, so my normal, day-to-day activity was perfectly fine on the nails. They looked great, stayed put, and I was really happy with them overall.

The nails don't look like your natural nails. However, I don't think that's supposed to be the point of these. They are supposed to look like you did your nails all fancy. They don't look ridiculous or like plastic (in my opinion), they just look like you had your nails done by someone else.

I have a few small complaints that I want to get out of the way. With the french-manicure style nails, you can see the glue on your nail if you look really closely. I highly doubt it's noticeable to anybody else, but it's noticeable to me. You eliminate this problem when you use the sets that are totally opaque, like the ones that have a design or are a solid color.
My second problem with these is the price. It makes it better that you get two applications from one set; however, they are still pricey if it's something you're going to be wearing often. I don't wear these every day. But for special occasions or just once in a while, these are great.


Overall, I highly recommend these. They stay put for up to (and sometimes over) a week, they don't damage my natural nails, they look nice, are relatively inexpensive for special occasions, and are so darn easy to apply. I approve!


What do you guys think? Have you tried any fake nails?

Much love,
Gianna

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

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

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

First Impression/Review: NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

Hey everybody!

Lately I've been getting the itch to try out some new foundations. I've been stuck on my Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation for about a year now, so I think it's time to branch out a little bit. Part of my foundation itch is due to a recent change in my skin- I've been noticing a lot more dryness. Before now, I would definitely classify myself as having oily/combo skin. But as of late, I've been sort of normal/dry. At first I thought it was a problem, but then I realized I should just take advantage of the change and try something I was hesitant about before! I'm not sure how long my newly dry skin will last, but I'm not worried about it. Anyway, I took a trip to Sephora hoping to find something light, slightly glowy, and medium coverage. NARS Sheer Glow seems to fit these three stipulations, so I went with it. I got myself a sample in the color Ceylan, and went along my merry way.

I tested out my sample today, and boy was I surprised with what I found out. Let's get to it.


NARS Sheer Glow Foundation retails for a whopping $44.00. Yeah, it's a lot. It comes in a really classy glass bottle with the notorious velvety-black cap. It looks nice, but the black material gets so darn dirty. I know from experience with my other NARS products. There is one huge downside- it doesn't come with a pump. Honestly, I think this is just so unacceptable. You can buy a pump separately at Nordstrom, but seriously? For $44.00 I expect a freaking pump.

The foundation comes in 20 shades according to the NARS website, although on the Sephora website I am only counting 16. Like I said, I chose the shade Ceylan, which is a really nice match for my summer color (NC 30 or so).

NARS claims this foundation gives a "glowing, satin finish" with sheer, buildable coverage. It also is supposed to be best for normal to dry skin.


On to my own experience...

This is my skin without makeup on. This picture was actually taken after I took the foundation off because I forgot to take one this morning. But it's all the same. I want you to see what kind of coverage the foundation offers.

Okay so, as you can see, I have a few issues that I want to cover, but nothing major. Some redness, a few blemishes, you know the drill.

This is me with my finished makeup using NARS Sheer Glow. Just letting you guys know- I did set my makeup today with NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder. It didn't add any coverage at all. I just wanted to set it because I was going to a family member's graduation and it was important that my makeup held up.

So, I don't know about you, but the first thing I notice is the not-so-glowy finish. Don't be deceived by the name "glow." I think this foundation offers a really beautiful, satin finish (as NARS says it does) that is super natural and flattering. I think my skin looks perfected, but not cakey. The first thing I thought when I applied it was "matte, but not flat." I think that's a great way to describe this foundation. There is a natural glow, but nothing like the full on dewey-ness I got from Make Up For Ever HD or anything like that. Also, this foundation did not sit in my pores very badly. By the end of the day, it had sunken into them a little bit, but nothing major. It's a huge plus in my book.

I had to build up to this level of coverage with two layers of foundation. But it still felt very light on the skin. I think NARS is right- it has a light, buildable coverage.
As far as consistency, the foundation is thin and somewhat runny, but not like straight up water. It's nice. It's easy to blend (I applied it with my beauty blender) and it doesn't dry too fast.


As far as how it wore throughout the day, I don't have too many issues. I never had to blot, not even once. It seems to really keep it's finish- I didn't get too oily or anything like that. It sunk in to my smile line a little bit, but every foundation does that to me. That's what you get for smiling so much!

I noticed a small amount of fading on my chin, but that is another thing that always happens to me. I think with a little setting spray it wouldn't have been an issue. I didn't notice an issue with transferring. I hate foundations that transfer, so I was happy about that.

I know this is strange to remark on, but it was pretty easy to remove too. For a foundation that lasts pretty decently on the skin without a primer or setting spray, I was able to wash it off easily. I don't like it when I feel like I can't get my foundation off my face without using a makeup wipe.


The bottom line.

Who would I recommend it to?
I would recommend this foundation to someone with dry, normal, or even combo skin. It probably wouldn't be good with someone super oily. I would also recommend this to someone looking for something with light-medium coverage who wants something light and natural on the skin,. If you want super dewey or super matte, this probably isn't for you.


Am I going to purchase the full size?
Honestly... yes, I think I might. This is just beautiful stuff. The color match is great, and I think it will be great in the winter when I am less tan. I like the finish and the way it holds up on my skin. So, yes, I might be purchasing this stuff really soon.


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

So much love!


Gianna

Urban Decay Primer Potion vs. Too Faced Shadow Insurance

Hey everybody. I recently picked up my first Too Faced Palette, and with it came a sample of Too Faced Shadow Insurance. As you can probably tell from some of my previous posts, I am a die hard Urban Decay Primer Potion fan. However, I thought I might get them head-to-head and see which one performs better than the other. I applied UDPP to one eye and TFSI to the other to get the bottom of it. What I found was pretty awesome. Let's get to it...


Urban Decay Primer Potion is $20, and comes in a number of different shades/finishes and formulas. There is the original (which is what I use), Greed (gold shimmer), Sin (champagne shimmer), and Eden (nude matte). The newest edition to the line in an anti-aging formula, which claims to offer the same anti-crease benefits as the original as it lessens the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. The anti-aging formula is slightly more pricey at $24.

Too Faced Shadow Insurance is also $20. It comes in one shade/finish/formula.

When I applied them to my eyes, I found that both had basically the same exact consistency and color. They were equal in texture and sticky-ness.I topped the primers with Urban Decay Shadows, not to give UDPP an advantage, but because that's what I wear mostly on a daily basis. When first applied, my eyeshadow looked the same over top of both primers. UDPP did not make the eyeshadows look better than TFSI.
I wore them for ten solid hours as I ran errands, went shopping, and spent the evening at home. When I went to take my makeup off, both my eyes looked exactly the same. No creasing, no fading, no anything. I was pleasantly surprised.

Generally I wear UDPP to work because I know it will withstand the conditions. I work fast food, so I am often hot and sweaty, running around getting stuff done. It isn't uncommon for shakes to splash in my face as I blend them. I wore TFSI to work yesterday just to see what would happen, and it held up just as well as UDPP.

So, over all, I say they are the exact same. I know that some people have better luck with one over the other, but I found them to be equally effective. The only thing Urban Decay might have over Too Faced is the option to buy different finishes/formulas.

I will probably stick with UDPP next time I'm due to buy another primer, but that is only because it has been my long time favorite. It was probably my first high end product I owned and fell in love with. But props to Too Faced for challenging my obsession with Urban Decay Primer Potion.

What do you guys think? Do you have a favorite of the two?

Much love!

Gianna

Sonia Kashuk Eye on Neutrals Palette Review (Alternative to Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette!)

Hey everybody! The latest hype concerning Urban Decay is centered around the new Naked Basics Palette. It's priced at 27 bucks for a palette with six neutral, and in my humblest opinion, unexciting shades. They are all matte with the exception of one shade, which is the lightest of the bunch. I've heard mixed reviews on this palette. Some say they love it and use it every day, some say it's nothing special. I personally I am not a huge fan of matte shades. Although I think they are beautiful on others, I have trouble working with them. I think it takes a lot of precision to have an all-matte-eye look good. But matte shades certainly come in handy when you're doing something neutral, or you want a matte shade to pop in the crease so your eye isn't resembling a disco ball.

Here is what the UD Naked Basics palette looks like, if you haven't seen it. I don't own it personally, so I do not have my own photo of it.

I mean, I kind of get it. It's small and convenient to have all those matte shades in one place. But I am the proud owner of a drugstore option that I think is very comparable to the Naked Basics Palette. Perhaps not in the exact shades, but in the concept.

The Sonia Kashuk Eye on Neutrals Palette (I think they recently renamed it the Eye Couture Palette) is sold at Target and the Sonia Kashuk website for $19.99. Okay, yes, it's only $7 cheaper. But you get 12 shades. That's right people, double the amount of shades. And not only do you get twice as many shades, they are super soft, highly pigmented (all except one), and easy to use. It comes in a really nice palette that's sturdy and travel friendly. Check it out:

Sorry my palette is such a dirty mess, you guys. It's well loved. I tried to clean it up but it wasn't working out.

Anyways, as you can see, the palette has twelve neutral, all-matte shades. I have used this palette for neutral eye looks and all-matte dramatic looks. It also has a little pull out thing on the side, which reveals three eye looks with specific instructions. It has a "softly contoured eye," a "wash of neutral," and a "smokey eye."

This is a nice touch, I think. Good for beginners or if you just want something easy.

I have swatches for the whole palette. The swatches go from left to right, top to bottom.

Look at that black, you guys!

The only color I think is a dud is the second one. It just lacks that same level of pigmentation that the rest of the shades have. Other than that one shade, this palette is wonderful. Highly pigmented shades, an excellent selection of browns, peaches, matte highlight colors, and a freakin' fab black shade. They are also super soft. The only thing I think it needs its a matte plum shade. But hey, the Naked Basics palette doesn't have that either.

My advice: go with the Sonia Kashuk palette. You get more shades for cheaper. Remember that you can mix the shades to get an even better selection of colors.

That's all I've got for today, everybody.

Much much love as always!

Gianna

Drugstore Liquid Liners: An Overview

Hey everybody! I'm back from vacation! It feels good to be blogging again. The last few posts have been written before hand, so I'm excited to be back at the keyboard for a quick minute before I leave for Vegas.

Anyways, on to the good stuff! I'm a liquid liner lover. For a long time I hated the way eyeliner looked on me, but after some experimentation I figured out that I love me a good liquid liner to use on my upper lash line. Gel and cream liners are not really my thing. Though I enjoy the formula of them, they are difficult for me to apply.

I know that liquid liner is a scary product. When I was a beginner, the whole idea of it freaked me out. It just seemed too risky applying a black liquid substance to my lid like that. What if the line was too thick, or jagged, or in the wrong place? Trust me guys, it takes practice. The more you do it, the better you'll be. Now it's just second nature to me.

I've tried out a good amount of liquid liners from the drugstore. Now, by no means have I tried them all. But I think I've tried a lot of the popular ones, and I want to share a bit of an overview of my thoughts on them.

Liquid liner pens are pretty popular right now. If you're a beginner, check out one of these products. They are so user friendly, and less threatening to those who are fearful. First up on the list is the Revlon Colorstay Liquid Eye Pen.

This retails for around 8 bucks. I personally think that's a little steep, but whatever. This is a good product. As the name suggests, this stuff lasts on your lid. I don't recall having any problems with staying power at all. However, the tip on this pen is a little bit short. It's still really easy to use, but it might be a bit easier if it had a longer tip. It's not a huge deal, but just a thought. If you have trouble with keeping your liner in place, give this a go. The only thing is that this product will tend to skip after a little while of use. The line doesn't go on as smooth or straight. I found that this pen was relatively easy to use, but didn't give me a really crisp line. That's just my opinion, though. This is my mom's favorite eyeliner pen. But she has mentioned having the same issue- it can skip, which is annoying.


Next up in the pen category is the Maybelline Eye Studio Master Precise Ink Pen Eyeliner. Damn that's a long name.

This is similar in price to the Revlon one. This is a good product too, but I won't repurchase. This did not have the lasting power that the Revlon did for me. But I have oily lids, and pretty much everything smudges on me. By the end of the day, this would be gathered up in the outer corners of my eyes. I will say that this is easier to use than the Revlon one. It has a longer tip, which means you can get more precise application.


Next and last of the pens is the Jesse's Girl Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner.

I believe this is only sold at Ride Aid and the Jesse's Girl website for about seven bucks. This is another good liquid liner. The tip on this thing is super thin. However, something about this product makes it less user-friendly than the other two. Maybe it's just me, but I found that it was harder to work with. This eyeliner pen makes a really, really thin line. This is good and bad. I personally like to make my liner thin at the inner corner, and thicker as it reaches the outer corner. I found that because the tip is so thin, it was hard to draw that gradual thickness that I wanted. If you are someone who likes a really thin line all the way across, this is great. If you like a little thickness, this might not be the best product. I'm not saying you can't achieve that thickness, I'm only saying it's harder to get that look with this pen. As far as staying power, I don't think I had any major issues. Just a little smudging. Remember though, guys, most things don't want to stay where I put them on my eyes.


On to the liners with felt and plastic tips. First up is the Revlon Colorstay Liquid Eyeliner.

This is a product where you shake it up and the product gets on to the plastic applicator. Yeah, it's plastic. That's kind of the thing about this stuff. The applicator is not the most comfortable on your eye. But the product itself is good. It lasts on my eyes. The application process could be easier, in my opinion, but it's not terribly difficult. I have one major issue with this stuff. It irritates my eyes. I was using it for a while and then my eyes started getting really sensitive. I realized that this stuff kind of stings right after I apply it. If you have sensitive eyes, I would suggest staying away from this product. This retails for about seven to eight bucks.


Next product is the Wet N' Wild H2O Proof Liquid Eyeliner.

This stuff is good and cheap. It retails for about three dollars. It's a lot like the Revlon one I mentioned right above. It has good lasting power. I don't have any irritation from this. I find that it's not the easiest to apply, but that's okay. If you want something cheap that works, buy this.


The next product is probably going to be controversial. It's the L'Oreal Lineur Intense Felt tip Liquid Eyeliner.

This retails for anywhere from seven to nearly ten bucks. Okay, there is one really good thing about this product. The applicator. The felt tip is nice and really easy to use. I personally think felt tips are the easiest. Even easier than pens. I know that this eyeliner has a cult following, but I just didn't love it. I found that it wasn't super pigmented. I could not take the applicator out of the bottle, do one swipe, and be done. I had to re-dip the applicator into the bottle half way through my line, screw the lid back on, shake it up, and then finish my line. And if I was attempting a wing, I could just forget about it. I'm sorry everybody, I just didn't see what the hype is about. Try it out for yourself and see. Maybe I just got a dud.


Last but certainly not least, I have my beloved Maybelline Line Stiletto Ultimate Precision Liquid Eyeliner.

This retails for around seven dollars. I love this stuff. It has the glorious applicator of the L'Oreal Lineur Intense, but the staying power and pigmentation of the Revlon Colorstay Liquid Liner. It doesn't irritate my eyes. It's easy to use. I can get a really thin line, or a really thick one, depending on what I want that day. It's just lovely. I suggest checking it out.


Okay guys, that's all I have for today. I know this was a lot of information, but I hope this helps you guys find a good, cheap liquid liner that you love!

Gianna