ProductWhores

Bouncy Blush

When I started seeing the advertisements for Maybelline's new Dream Bouncy Blush I got super excited - who wouldn't want a blush named "dream bouncy?"  I quickly ran out and had to hit up three Rite Aids to even find one (geez, must already be popular!)  I did manage to grab Rose Petal (a delicately irridescent light pink) and Orchid Hush (light lilac).  First of all, the blush has an awesome creamy texture that goes on so smooth it's ridiculous.  Both of the colors I have are pretty, but honestly, I wish I had one of the darker ones because these are both so light I have to layer on a few swipes before I can see it on my pale skin.  My recommendation - go out and buy Dream Bouncy but opt for one of the darker hues (there is a beautiful vibrant coral, but I can't seem to get my hands on it... yet!)

Press Rewind

You guys, I am totally loving drugstore makeup lately.  I mean, don't get me wrong, I'm still spending WAY too much money on more expensive brands, but I've gotten so many great drugstore products lately and it's made me very happy.  One of my favorite recent discoveries is Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind Concealer.  It's a fabulous concealer that works great at hiding my undereye circles, but what I really love about it is the packaging.  It has this spongy ball at the top of it where the concealer comes out and you use that to rub it in (sometimes with a little help from your fingers).  I like that it's not a pot that you have to dip your fingers in constantly (so unsanitary!) and it's super easy to throw in your bag and take with you.  And the formula is fantastic, especially for around $8.  It's not cakey or heavy, it just covers and blends right in.  Genius!  

Lots Of Lashes

I've never been a big fan of Great Lash mascara.  I know there's all this hype and a lot of people who swear by it, but it's just never done anything for me.  But I was at Target the other week and saw a display of the new version of it, Great Lash Lots of Lashes Mascara.  (Or, as the Target site hilariously calls it, Great Lash LOL Mascara.  They are aware that abbreviating it like that makes it sound like a mascara people are laughing at, right?  Because... why?)  Not only was it on sale, but then I had a random Maybelline coupon, so it ended up costing me like $3.00, which seemed a worthwhile investment even if I hated it.  (It's basically half of what the new English Toffee Lattes at The Coffee Bean cost and I can easily justify those a few times a week, so how could I pass a $3.00 mascara up?  Answer - I could not).  And then a funny thing happened.  Not only did I not hate it, I actually kind of love it.  I think it's the brush, which as you can see is a very odd shape, but that shape lets you really get in there and coat each lash with mascara without getting it all over the rest of your face (a problem I usually have because I'm a klutz).  The formula also works really well for me.  My lashes look super long and thick when I wear it, noticeably more so than with most mascaras, which makes me very happy.  (Especially for $3.00!)  I've been wearing it for a few weeks now and so far, I haven't noticed any drawbacks.  It doesn't smudge once it's dry, it doesn't flake off giving me raccoon eyes, and it stays put all day.  I love having a new drugstore mascara obsession because it makes me feel better knowing if I travel somewhere and forget mine, I can just run over to the nearest CVS and grab another one.  I'm finally on board the Great Lash train! 

Baby Your Lips

Okay, we have to get the name out of the way because, uh, Baby Lips?  Why, Maybelline, why?  Is there any woman out there who's looking in the mirror going, "Damn, if only I could get my lips to look the way they did when I was a baby?"  I really don't think so.  Also, the name reminds me of that "Toddlers & Tiaras" show and that's just wrong because a 4 year-old wearing Julia Roberts' outfit from "Pretty Woman" is NOT what I want to think about when I'm putting my makeup on.  But luckily, once you get past the name, you're in for a treat.  The lip balm is available in four different tints - Cherry Me, Pink Punch, Grape Vine and Peach Kiss - and two clear shades - Quenched and Peppermint.  They all smell like their names suggest, but the scent is more subtle than a lot of lip balms I've tried, so if you don't like strong scents, these are for you.  I bought Cherry Me and Grape Vine last week at CVS and I'm really liking them.  They have a good amount of color for a balm and they're super moisturizing, plus they have an SPF 20 in them so you're getting sun protection as well.  And they're really cheap!  I got mine at a buy one, get one 50% off sale and I think they were $3.99 each, so I only paid $6 for both.  That's one Salted Caramel Mocha Latte at Starbucks!  (I am so addicted to those.  I was doing so well with my latte buying, but once the holiday drinks came out at Starbucks and The Coffee Bean, I knew I was doomed).  I really couldn't need another lip balm less, but I'm definitely going to pick up the other four shades because at that price, you really can't go wrong.  I'll keep them in all my bags and never have to remember lip balm ever again.  Genius!      

The Good Kind Of Stains

I kind of go back and forth on lip stains.  Some I love, some I REALLY don't like at all.  (And I really hate the word "stain" because I'm always spilling things and it just reminds me of how many times I've had to scrub my carpet or couch when I've accidentally knocked over my soda or had some runaway spaghetti sauce leap out of the bowl).  But two new recent additions to my lip wardrobe have gotten me back on the love train.  Maybelline's Color Sensational Lipstains are a great drugstore choice.  They just came out, so you might have to track them down a little (I had to go to four different stores before I stumbled upon a display) but the trek will totally be worth it.  They're the traditional sort of lip stain, with a magic marker-like tip that you use almost like a crayon to draw on the color.  I bought Wink of Pink and was pleasantly surprised by the shade - it's darker than it looked on the handle, almost more of a berry shade, but it's a really pretty color that I could see wearing both to work and out at night.  As far as the formula, it dries quickly and is fairly easy to apply.  I find that with lip stains, they're always a little tricky because if you're not careful, you end up with a crazy clown mouth, but this was one of the easier ones to put on for me.  Once on, it lasted for a good 5 1/2 hours on me before it started to fade away, so I consider that a success.  (It also has a pleasant fruity smell, which is great because a lot of lip stains reek of the harsh scent of alcohol - yuck!)  And as far as price, you can't go wrong.  I bought mine for $7.49 at CVS, but since drugstores always have sales, with a little googling, I'm sure you can find them even cheaper.  One thing to be aware of - like a lot of lip stains, they're not very moisturizing and can dry your lips out, so you'll definitely want to carry a balm around with you when you wear these.  I know this annoys some people, but for me, I kind of figure it comes with the territory when you're wearing a lip stain and since I always have about a dozen balms with me at any given moment, it doesn't really bother me.       

The second product I tried is a little more high end - Tarte's Lipsurgence Natural Lip Stain.  They're pricier at $24 each, but I found a lot to like about these colorful sticks as well.  First of all, they smell like peppermint, which is my kryptonite in any lip product.  Mint=good.  And like the Maybelline stains, their colors are also bright without being in your face or overwhelming.  I tested out both Lust (red) and Amused (bright pink) and fell for them both.  Application is a cinch - since the product has such a great texture, it goes on almost like a cream eyeshadow stick on your eyes.  There's way less chance to mess up because of the rounded tip and if you do, you can quickly wipe it away.  The formula on these is different than a lot of lip stains - it's much more moisturizing, almost like a lipstick instead of a stain.  (I daresay you wouldn't need to wear balm on top of these - at least, I haven't been and my lips haven't dried out at all).  According to Tarte's website, the Lipsurgence technology is such that it absorbs quickly into your lips, moisturizing them on a cellular level, which naturally increases your skin's water content and gives it a "plumped up" appearance.  This is where they lose me a tiny bit because I didn't notice my lips being plumped up at all. (But that being said, they did feel very smooth and healthy when I had it on, so that's a plus).  These lasted about 4 to      4 1/2 hours or so on my lips before starting to fade (but if you want to get rid of the color, these are definitely easier to get off than the Maybelline stains).  

Overall, you really can't go wrong with either of these products.  I've been carrying around Tarte's Amused  in my purse since I bought it because it's a perfect summer pink and I have a feeling I'll be buying a few more of Maybelline's Lipstains as well.  (I really want to try Cranberry Crush and In The Buff).  Bring on the stains!       

Note:  Samples of the Tarte products were sent to me by a PR representative working with Tarte.  

Frugal Finds

Maybelline mascaras aren't usually my favorite (although I do really like the Lash Stiletto ones) but when I saw that they had a new one out for the summer, I kind of wanted to try it.  (I find it impossible to go to CVS and not buy a makeup item.  It just feels... wrong somehow.  That is why I'll never be a millionaire.  Unless I win the Mega Millions.  Which is going to happen).  Anyway, last week I was at CVS and saw a display of Maybelline's new The Falsies Volum' Express.  Not only did it look intriguing, but there was a 40% coupon, so I was all over it.  Best $4.75 I've spent recently!  I love the way it makes my lashes look.  The brush isn't super big and it's curved, which I always like because I think it's just easier to work with.  On me, the formula goes on really well and it makes my lashes look long and thick.  (I usually put on two coats).  I mean, I wouldn't say it makes me look like I'm wearing false lashes, only because those are SO noticeable, but I also can't be bothered to put those on unless I'm going to a big event, so this is a nice compromise.  I definitely look in the mirror when I'm wearing this and think, "Hhhm, my lashes look good" and notice how much they stand out, which is kind of my own personal "Do I need it?" test.  It also doesn't flake a lot, which is another one of my requirements for a mascara because I never remember to look in the mirror during the day and if I wear a mascara that flakes, I walk around looking like a raccoon.  Not good.  

I don't think The Falsies has been "officially" released yet because it's not on Maybelline's website, but I've seen it at a few drugstores in L.A., so I assume other cities have it, too.  Has anyone else bought it yet?  What do you think?       

Color Me Sensational

Even though I have approximately 400 lipsticks (and I think that's being conservative) I can never resist buying new ones.  Especially if they're on sale or buy one, get one free, which is what happened to me last week at CVS with the (relatively) new Color Sensational Lipcolors from Maybelline.  I bought four different shades (yeah, I know - I could've just bought one and gotten one for free, but where's the fun in that?  This way I got TWO for free.  And two free lipsticks are always better than one).  I tried a bunch of different color options, a red (Very Cherry), a brown (Blushing Brunette), a pink (Hooked On Pink) and a Plum (Plum Paradise) and I'm totally impressed with them all.  The formula is creamy, decently long-lasting, doesn't dry out my lips, and comes in an amazing 48 different shades.  You can get colors from barely there neutrals to bright, bold shades and everything in between for around $9 a tube (and that's without sales!)  If I was flying somewhere and my makeup bag somehow got left behind (the horror!) this would be the first display I would hit up at the local drugstore to pick up some lipstick for my trip.  High praise, indeed!  There are also Color Sensational Lip Liners and Color Sensational Lip Glosses available, which are next on my list to try.  Is it too much to hope for another CVS sale soon?    

What I'm Loving Right Now

My closet is totally overloaded with products right now (I know, I know, there are a million worse problems I could have...)  As usual when it's that full, there are the few staples that I find myself reaching for again and again.  Here's what I can't get enough of at the moment.

Smashbox's new O-Plump is like their O-Gloss taken up a notch.  It's a clear gloss that turns into a custom shade of pink on your lips when you put it on.  (On me, it's a flirty light pink that's perfect for the daytime).  Unlike O-Gloss though, O-Plump also plumps as it colors (obviously, otherwise it would be really oddly named!)  I personally love lip plumpers and while this one doesn't give me huge lips, it does seem to make them a little fuller.  And it's definitely not drying, so it gets big points for that.  At $24, this gloss is going to be hanging out in my bag all spring (and probably the summer, too!)

Tarte's Spring Greening Reusable Straw Palette is super cute.  There are 6 mineral eyeshadows (in new spring colors), 3 lip glosses, and an eyeshadow brush with a bamboo handle (who couldn't always use another eyeshadow brush?)  The colors come tucked in a compact made entirely out of sustainable straw, and the foam tray inside comes out, so when you're done using the shadows, you can still use the straw palette for storage.  Such a great idea!  The whole package is adorable - it would make a great present for your most environmentally-conscious friend.

I am so into mascara these days, and a lot of my favorites right now are drugstore brands.  Maybelline's Lash Stiletto gives me thick, long, deep black lashes (although I'm not sure that they have a patent finish, whatever that means).  Even without that though, I'd still recommend this mascara to anyone.  It doesn't clump or smudge on me, and it lasts all day with minimal flaking, which is key.  The best part though is its under $10 price tag.  (Even cheaper with a coupon!)  At that price, you can even buy a few extras to take on vacation or leave in your drawer at work.  How many prestige brands could you say that about?

Photos courtesy of Sephora and Drugstore.com   

Plump In Style

Nothing will get me to try a new makeup item I've already been coveting like putting it on sale.  I love when that happens.  And I love it even more when it happens with something that I've already tried and liked so I can stock up on it in every color.  So imagine my excitement when I walked into Long's a few days ago and the Maybelline VolumeXLSeduction Lip Plumper was buy one get one free, PLUS came with a $2 off coupon.  I was able to get two of them for $5.99, which seriously made my day.  (I know that's sad, but it was a boring day.  Nothing else fun happened!)  These glosses are sort of a middle of the road lip plumper for me - they promise to plump your lips up to 30% more than usual, but I didn't notice that much of an improvement.  (They were bigger, just not hugely bigger).  But I think that's okay - I know a lot of people don't like the stinging that comes when they use other lip plumpers, but the Maybelline version tingles without hurting.  (And for the record, I personally don't think any lip plumpers hurt, but my sister hates them, so I guess it really depends on the individual).  And I know this sounds weird, but I like the tingling feeling the VolumeXLSeduction glosses give my lips.  It's refreshing and gives you a kick in the butt, so it's perfect to apply when you're getting sleepy or on your afternoon coffee break.   

Still the Greatest

There is a reason that year after year Maybelline's Great Lash mascara is voted number one by consumers - it's simply fabulous.  It's cheap, it defines without clumping and is always hanging in every checkout line at Target so it's impossible to resist (as are many things at Target, in fact).  No matter how many times I stray from Great Lash and use some fancy mascara from Stila, Lancome or Bourjous, I always come back to the pink and green.  It's like the Cinderella song "Don't Know What You Got Till It's Gone."  Wow, I just quoted Cinderella.  This mascara always makes my eyelashes look their best and at such a cheap price if it rolls out of my bag on the floor of an airplane to be lost forever, I never care.  There aren't a lot of beauty products I can say that about.  If I had a dime for every time I spent down on my hands and knees (snicker snicker) looking under airplane seats for my Chanel lipgloss, I would be a very rich woman.