Lack of Posts

Sorry for not posting lately, my son has had pneumonia most of October and has spent the better part of it in the hospital, so I haven't really been around to post much less buy more stash to review. But he's home, he's healthy so I'm back!

Oh, and remember, I buy all this stuff out of my own pocket, I don't get stuff sent to me or any incentive to try them other than my own curiosity. With that said, if you have a request let me know. I'll try to get around to it on pay day. :)


Cathy

L'Oreal HiP Color Chrome eyeliner

Price Paid: $8.99 (Buy One, Get One Half Off, so the second one was half that)

Rating: 3.5 Stars

I got this in Black Shock (pictured) and Violet Volt. The colors are about the same on the skin as they are in the pencil.

First, yes they are more expensive than normal eye pencils, but they're worth it. They go on creamy & smooth, and I have yet to have it budge, wear off, or smear. They feel like a gel liner, but in a pencil form, so if you've always wanted to try those little pots, but applying liquid-type liners with a brush scares you, go for these!

Second, they really are HIGHLY pigmented, and a little goes a long way. You won't have to reapply these at all. They remind me very much of the much loved (and highly overpriced) Urban Decay liners. In fact, most of the HiP line does, but these are a near perfect match.

The down side? Hard to keep a sharp point on it for very thin precise lines. That is because they are so easy to apply I generally tend to put too much pressure on the pencil thinking it's your typical hard kohl-based liner, so I'm having to get used to the light touch (and that is a good thing). I find myself having to carry a sharpener with me if I happen to have to reapply (it's allergy season, I rub my eyes sometimes). But reapplying is rare, so I don't usually have to do that.

The biggest reason it didn't get all 4 stars? Lack of color choice. In stores, as well as online, they only seem to have 4 colors, and Urban Decay has around 15. Sigh.... I guess I'm stuck with the 4 (because I WILL buy them whether they are on sale or not) until they decide to add more.

And I wear these every day now. I may very well get rid of all my other pencil liners.

Will I rebuy? Yes!!!
At full price? Yes

The Body Shop Matte It Face Primer

Price Paid: $12.60 (on sale, regularly $14)

Rating: 3 stars


Ok, this isn't really drug store but it is available at the mall or online, and it's under both the $15 for face and $20 for skin product price.

Why did I pick this? Well, it's new, it was on sale (how can I possibly resist that) and I have serious oil problems so I figured things can't get worse.

Well, it's a clear silicon-based gel that feels more like a powder than a gel. It sinks into the skin and it doesn't feel greasy or slimy like most silicon-based primers. It's supposed to be worn under your foundation and keep your face from becoming shiny.

That's what it's supposed to do. What it actually does? I've worn this every day for almost a week, and while my foundation (whether it be my regular Ulta oil-control or my Physician's Formula mineral powder) looks amazing, it doesn't really last any longer than normal.

Now, don't get me wrong, it's a fabulous face primer that does NOT make me break out like all the others (sadly, including Sally Hansen's). However, as for it's claim that it is mattifying, I don't really see it. I will still wear it on most days, but it's price is still a bit steep for just being a primer for the size you get. Don't expect much if you usually get really shiny or oily by time lunch comes around.

CoverGirl Outlast Lip Stain

Rating: 5 stars

Price Paid: $7.49 (Buy One Get One Half Off, so it was cheaper for the 2)


These are fabulous! They last forever (my 4 has now lasted almost 6 months and I wear them every day), and since they are pen-style they are incredibly precise.

Now, one swipe will give you a sheer look. When they are sheer, it's sometimes hard to tell some of the colors apart. Try the pinks or nudes for a natural look. Two swipes will give you a nice healthy matte color that looks great alone, under lip balm (my favorite look) or under a sheer lip gloss or lip stick.

They don't go on sticky, but they dry quickly, so be careful. If you go outside the lip line, they can be hard to get off. They remind me a lot of watercolor markers for art class.

At their price, I am wondering why everyone hasn't bought one yet. If your not sure still, get one in your usual lip color and try it. They're perfect for days you don't have time, or want a light, natural look.

New Goodies!

I recently went on a "shopping spree" to e.l.f., The Body Shop, and Sephora. I got some great deals on both cheap stuff and department store brands that were on ridiculously cheap sale. Expect a lot of new review posts, as well as "comparison shopping" posts soon!

E.L.F. Lip Primer & Plumper

Price: $3.00

Rating: 4 stars

Ok, the price is fantastic, especially for what it does, I'll review the 2 ends separately.

First, the primer end. It is pretty much a soft, moisturizing concealer for the lips. If you have any sort of a soft concealer, I'd use it, but seeing as how you pay $3 for 2 products, it's probably hard to get one cheaper than this. It works great, however, I either cover my whole lip in a thin layer of lip liner as a colored base/concealer or I use a lip stain, so I really only use it in a pinch when I'm out & about. This end gets about 3 stars just because it's not a very practical product, and I've used it twice, one as a concealer on my face.

The other end is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! It is a solid lip balm-ish plumper. It's smell and tingle reminds me a LOT of a certain plumper that started the whole craze, and the spicy cinnamon taste is amazing. It works very quickly and a little goes a long way. I didn't realize this the first time so I had a bit of a burning feel. I recommend putting on a very light swipe, waiting the 15-20 seconds it takes to kick in, and add more as it's comfortable.

You can use this over or under lip stick or gloss. A lot of days when I'm busy I'll wear it alone above a lip stain, or under a lip gloss. Worn over a matte lipstick it'll give a light shine like a solid gloss would, or you can wear it under which will help your lipstick wear longer, hence why I don't really use the other end. I give this side 4 stars, and at this price, I've bought it over & over again!

The only way to make this product better would be to take out the primer and replace it with a plumping gloss, or a clear liner, or a plain clear gloss. I'd love it if they put even more product in it, but for $3, I am far from complaining!

E.L.F. Contouring Blush & Bronzer

Price: $3.00

Rating: 5 stars

I am not very good at giving out 5 stars. However, I am IN LOVE with the new studio line. Where do I begin? I love it's price, it's looks, it's quality products, and I suspect they are really MAC but won't tell anyone.

I ordered some on a lark because they had a sale on mineral stuff (which I will review later) and found myself ordering almost one of everything because it was so cheap.

Though the colors of both the blush & bronzer are limited in choice to one shade, and they are darker than the picture, I loved them. They go on very intense, so use them sparingly. The bronzer is a cocoa shade, and the blush looks suspiciously like that famous Nars one. Both apply like a dream and will look good on every skin tone.

They not only went on well, but they also stayed, and in the heat too (not that we Wisconsinites had much heat). Or, if like me, it was too cold to tan, or you were too bundled up to make a fake tan worth it, this worked great!

Honestly, I don't' have anything bad to say about it. It works with cool & warm tones, it looks expensive, it wears well, it has amazing pigmentation, and a little goes a long way. There's even a full-sized mirror inside the lid which you dont' see anymore. I'd have paid 5 times what I was charged, easy!

Milani Lip Mixer Color Shine And Shimmer Lipgloss

Price Paid: $5.99

Rating: 3 stars

Ok, this product is sort of a good news - bad news type product.

Good news? The color looks absolutely amazing. It has a lip color (the bottom one is the darker-toned liquid lipstick), a lip gloss (the middle one is the medium-toned sparkling lip gloss) and a lip shimmer (the top one is a lighter-tones sheer pearly shimmer) and when you pull out the want, it mixes all 3 together on your lips.

The color payoff is amazing, it was so pretty, and they have enough shades to work with anyone's skin tones & tastes. I got it in Lip Party and I wear it often. It looks 3-dimensional and it's glitzy enough for a 20-something but not overly so that a 30-something or older can still wear it. It's sheer but not too sheer, so you don't need a lot.

Ok, bad news is it's a but sticky and smells like fruit punch. And it stayed sticky, I did notice that I was wearing it, and ended up wiping it off after an hour or so every time I've worn it. Not to mention every time you use it, the layers get mixed up, so now that mine is half gone it no longer has the 3 layers.

Overall? If your a teeny bopper who's willing to put up with the thick,s ticky texture for an amazingly good looking and cheap gloss, this is for you. For us grown-ups who'd rather wait and shop around for something better (even if it means our lips will ahve to forego the perfectly pretty colored product), then pass on it.I bought one, I was glad I bought it, I wear it occasionally, but I'm glad I didn't buy 2. However, if it were ever on sale (like half off) I would get one in a neutral tone, sicne I already have the nice pink one.

Milani Infinite Liquid Eyeliner

Price Paid: $5.99

Rating: 1 star

I am normally a huge fan of Milani. They are inexpensive, good quality, and have a lot of color & pop, plus some very innovative products that are usually high-end only.

I saw this and I thought it looked like something Urban Decay would come out with, and I couldn't wait to try it. I got Endless, the purple one.

I was so disappointed I could cry! First problem was, when I opened it and pilled the applicator out, it dripped like a lip gloss! It was thick, and coopy so I applied ot to the back of my hand. It stayed wet for quite a while and because of this it smudged and wore off. It looked like I colored on my hand with marker and wiped it off.

I then tried it on my eyes. It was hard to get on, and it streaked. It was impossible to control and when I blinked, it spread all over my eye. When I tried to get it off, it stung.

I would not recommend this. The color was amazing, but I really wish it was a better product. I can't recommend this at all.

Maybelline Colorsational Lipstick

Price I Paid: $8.99 (buy one get one free)

Rating: 4 stars

Ok, I am usually not very pleased with Maybelline. With a few notable exceptions, I find most of their line to be full of promise, but they never really live up. I gave up after they reformulated their eye shadows a few years back and they lost all the creamy soft texture and are now hard, with no real color.

I, however, found their new line of lipsticks on sale and I thought why not? It was a two-for sale so the price per item was well below the limit.

Honey, I should've bought more than two! Ok, so here's the minor flaw, they're not long-wearing. They looked great for several hours, but they won't last through lunch, but that's ok. They went on creamy, they had GREAT color payoff and weren't drying, in fact my lips felt much better. They did feel a bit more on the heavy side like a long-wearing lipstick would, but not so heavy that they felt sticky, just more like a lip balm than a lipstick.

I got these in Bit of Berry, a plummy rose color (my fave so far) and Blushing Brunette, as close to a rosey brown that will look good on me (I cannot wear warm colors). I plan to go back and buy more, even if they are at fullprice. I have fallen in love with lipsticks all over again.

Maybelline Pulse Perfection Mascara

Price I paid: $11.99

Rating: 4 stars (minor flaw: price)


Ok, so I have trouble with mascara as well as eyeliner, and it's the same reason I don't wear contacts, I have an irrational fear of having anything near my eyes. So I rush through the liner and mascara hoping for the best, but usually getting the worst.


I found help at last! Yes, it has the rather unsettling side effect of tickling (who knew I had ticklish eyelashes?) but you get over it, quickly! My eye lashes not only got longer, but started to curl. I looked like a pro did my eyes, and it took me half the time. It was a darkest black, and didn't clump.

Another strange aspect of it was that the formula seemed rather watery, at least on the plastic bristle applicator. I was sure it was going to be messy or ineffective, but I was happy to be wrong, so don't judge this by first looks, you have to try it on for a day. And it stayed on without running and came off just fine with my eye makeup remover, even though it stayed on during my shower. WOW!

I am in love, and I have yet to find anything terribly wrong, except perhaps the price. At $11.99 it is a but above the price limit, so if you get it on sale, don't hesitate. If you want to splurge (like I did) it's worth it. Hopefully it comes down in price though.

Welcome to the Blog

Ok, here's what it is:

Drugstore brands (if it's not at one of the "big box" stores such as Wal-Mart, Target, K-Mart, Walgreens, etc. you won't find it here) all reviewed based on cost, quality of the product, packaging, and ease of use. I know your all busy moms with tight budgets so that's what I aim for.

I do have price limits to make sure everything is affordable. I even mention when I get something on sale. I figure that if you are on a budget, I should be too, so here it is:

Skin Care Products- $20;
Face Products - $15;
Eye & Lip Products - $10;
Nail & Hair Products- $10;

The only time I will review something more expensive is if I can buy it on sale within the budget (I will also post the price I paid for an item, jsut so you know).



Any questions? No? Then let the blogging begin!


Cathy


p.s. if you need more info on a product or just want to chat, feel free to email me.