Revlon Lip Butter Love

Revlon has always been one of my top drugstore brands, especially when it comes to anything lip product related. One of the best things they've ever done is created their line of 'Lip Butters', which come in a large variety of shades and have a beautiful creamy consistency. These have been out for quite some time now, however I've never given them any attention on here, or shown them the love and praise they truly deserve.

(Creme brule, pink lemonade, cotton candy, sweet tart, juicy papaya)

I have five shades in my collection currently, all of which are all on the somewhat more natural, easy to wear end of the spectrum. 

(creme brule, pink lemonade, cotton candy, sweet tart, juicy papaya)

They are not as pigmented as a lipstick, but are buildable and slightly more long wearing than a lipgloss. That being said, they aren't a stain, so once you eat or drink you will have to do a touch up. Out of the five I have, sweet tart has the best lasting power, and does very slightly stain the lips as well. They're especially great for those who fear bold lipsticks, but want to give more vivid shades a try.

I would highly recommend these to people who have dryer lips, and find lipsticks do too much damage. They're not super moisturizing like a lip balm, but they do a pretty good job of keeping your lips hydrated while giving a lovely pop of color.

This line is amazing, and it has so many shades I think everyone could find at least one that suits their fancy. They have such an amazing variety of shades that would also compliment any and every skin tone. 

UD Naked Basics Palette Review & Swatches

If you're new to my blog, or just somehow missed this fact about me, there is nothing I like (love) more than a good neutral palette. Maybe the only thing better than a neutral palette is a neutral palette that is also compact and easy to travel with.

I purchased the UD Naked Basics finally after many months of wondering the all mighty MUA question, 'do I really need more neutral shadows?'. After becoming the owner of both Naked 1 and 2 palettes I finally decided to cave one day while browsing around Sephora as we all love to do. Fast forward six months later I am so satisfied with the decision. I can honestly say I have used this in some way shape or form at least five days a week since purchasing it.

The palette is extremely compact and convenient - as you can see it's slightly smaller than my iPhone 4s, which makes it very easy to pop in any bag or makeup pouch. 

(venus, foxy, w.o.s, naked 2, faint, crave)

The palette is composed of six shades, five are matte and one is shimmery (venus). There is only one color that doubles up with either Naked 1 or 2, and that is foxy which is in the Naked 2. I really love that they came out with a "naked 2" shade for this palette, as I thought that would be something they would include in the actual N2 palette. 

(venus, foxy, w.o.s, naked 2, faint, crave)

As with any Urban Decay palette, the shadows are so soft and buttery. They're also so highly pigmented and blend like a dream. The shades are great for mixing with colors from other palettes, or to use alone for a lovely matte eye look that can be softer, or easily deepened up with the darker shades for more depth. 

Let me know if you've tried/want to try this palette, and your thoughts on it!

Five Things - Drugstore Face Powders

Today I decided to write about something I use pretty well everyday, sometimes multiple times a day, both with and without foundation, and all year round - powders!

They're essential for many reasons - setting your foundation, brightening up your complexion, stopping those pesky oils from appearing, and giving you a quick and simple way to get a little touch of coverage on days when your not looking to use anything too heavy. 

I've gathered up my five drugstore (low end) favorites to show you all. They're great if you don't have a big budget, or you just want something cheap to throw in your travel makeup bag so you don't have to worry about your $50 powder shattering while you're on the go. 

1. Maybelline Dream Matte Powder - I have actually heard through the grape vine they are discontinuing this (say it ain't so!), but if you can still find it try to get your hands on it. Its finely milled and provides a great matte finish without looking chalky. This one specifically I love using on its own with a little concealer for a light makeup day. 

2. Covergirl Clean Pressed Powder - This powder range comes in several different varieties, based on your skin type, I have the 'normal skin' variety even though I'm much more on the combo/oily side. I love this because it feels light and breathable, while still doing what it's supposed to be doing. The only complaint I have about this is the scent, which reminds me somewhat of a face wash I once used in my younger days (oxy clean maybe?). It's not enough to really bother me all that much, and doesn't last long once applied, but I could see how this could possibly bother others who are more sensitive to scented products, especially ones that are going directly on your face. 

3. Rimmel Stay Matte - This is, like for many out there, a holy grail product that I must always have a back up of. It is cheap (about $5 CAD), but does what most high end powders only wish they could do. It claims up to 5 hours natural shine control, and in my experience it does the job! I can't say enough good things about this product. If you haven't tried it, do it! You wont regret it, especially if you have combo/oily skin like me. 

4. Maybelline Fit Me - Yes, two Maybelline powders in the same post! But let me say, they know how to make good products, and this powder is certainly up there with their dream matte as well. It doesn't have as much of a mattefying result as the dream matte, but it provides a lovely, soft, barely there look to your skin once applied both alone or over foundation. 

5. Elf Studio Pressed Powder - This is most affordable of the 5 powders I'm mentioning ($3 CAD) so it can be expected that it is a little more loosely packed, which only means you just need to use a little more caution not to over do it so that you don't look chalky or caky. It maintains a matte finish for several hours before touch up is required, so for being so affordable it is well worth the purchase to have on hand in your beach bag or where ever else your nice products don't really belong. 

Spring Nail Polish Favorites!

I am here with amazing news for you all....

Mother nature is actually cooperating, and we've finally received consecutive days of sunshine and temperatures above 5 degrees!! It finally feels like Spring is making a true appearance and has actually come to stay this time (thank goodness because cabin fever has been at an all time high lately). 

In honor of the weather we've been having I decided to compile a little post of my top nail polish picks for this Spring. These colors are ones I have been/and plan to be wearing a lot over these next few months, and I hope seeing these colors will give you a little inspiration.

(beginning with the lightest shade, and working counter clockwise)

Revlon 'pale cashmere'

very light pale pinky nude

Revlon 'peach petal'

peachy toned pink

Essie 'fiji'

creamy soft pink

Essie 'lilacism' 

cool, blue toned lilac 

Sally Hansen 'lacey lilac'

warmer/brighter toned lilac purple

Essie 'play date'

the perfect 'radiant orchid' inspo mani shade

Essie 'bikini so teeny' 

cornflower blue, very slight shimmer

Essie 'mint candy apple'

creamy blue toned mint

Essie 'turquoise & caicos' 

tropical aqua blue green

Essie 'jazzy jubilant'

confetti glitter with hints of blue, green, purple, pink, silver

Let me know some of your favorite nail shades for spring! I hope you enjoyed this glimpse at my top choices for this season!

March Favorites

Hello and Happy April!

Throughout the month of March I surprisingly didn't do that much shopping at all, it was more a month of shopping my stash of makeup and using old favorites or things I just hadn't given much of a chance in the past. 

First off, and probably least exciting, lip balm. This is actually one of my few small purchases of the month - EOS lip balm in summer fruit. Hello delish smell/taste! It mainly smells like peach to me so that is right up my ally, I'm obsessed! 

Next off, concealer, and as you can see this is going to be an April (re)purchase - MAC Pro Long Wear Concealer in NW20. I think I may have a couple more makeup days in this before it completely refuses to produce product but holy moly I've been so glad I pulled this out of my drawers after many months of it being pushed aside. I now remember why I loved it so much!

This past month I gravitated toward much more pastel shades on my nails as spring (not so willingly) begins to appear here in my area of Canada. The two I used most through March were Mint Candy Apple and Spaghetti Strap. MCA is still currently on my toes and looks so fresh and lovely. Spaghetti Strap has been my go to "nude" nail lately as its sheer and natural looking but with a little more pink in it.

I feel I hardly have to mention this as its always a resounding favorite, but my MAC Melba blush rarely steers me wrong - pink, matte, effortless, and works with all eye looks.

Josie Maran Argan Oil has quickly become a staple in the face moisturizing routine. I got this sample size forever ago and finally decided it was time I tried it out after hearing so many good things about it. I have officially been converted! I never thought oil of any kind on my combo/oily skin would ever work well but it has transformed my skin! I combine a few drops of it with my usual Neutrogena moisturizer and apply morning and night. I will certainly be buying the full size once this runs out!

My favorite way to apply/buff my foundation this month has been with my Real Techniques buffing brush, it gives an amazing and flawless finish, and I love my foundation so much more when I use it. I plan to do a full review post very soon on RT brushes as they have become my new favorite brushes.

Last, but certainly not least, my Maybelline Illegal Length mascara. I have rarely used this on its own as it gives a little too much of a natural/minimal look, which is not what I typically strive for when doing my lashes. My love for this comes from layering it with other mascaras that are more voluminous so you achieve the best of both worlds - length AND volume! 

Let me know if you would like a more in depth review on any of the products mentioned! 

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